The Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux © Photo Healy Racing
Red Cadeaux scored his first Group One victory as he claimed a thrilling renewal of the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Ed Dunlop's charge had performed with credit in a number of international engagements and lost out by just a nose in the Melbourne Cup last term before finishing third in this event.
He gained compensation for that near-miss though as he lifted the mile-and-a-half prize in the hands of Gerald Mosse.
Johnny Murtagh set out to make all aboard the William Haggas-trained Dancing Rain and he began to wind up the pace at the three-furlong marker.
However, they were lining up in behind to challenge with Mosse producing Red Cadeaux between Jaguar Mail and Liberator well over a furlong out.
Jaguar Mail went with Red Cadeaux as Mosse tried to kick on but Dunlop's raider dug deep and clung on to victory in a photo.
French challenger Meandre stuck on for third while Dancing Rain faded out of contention in the finish along with Dunaden.
Mosse said: "He showed something in Japan (eighth in Japan Cup) and I was confident today.
"He picked up the first one and fought to the line."
