Just What The Doctor Ordered

Globetrotting Doctor Dino proved himself a champion on the world stage with a clear-cut victory from Quijano in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Doctor Dino, who was contesting his sixth consecutive Group One this year in five countries, collared the German challenger Quijano to win by a length and a half with fellow German Bussoni a neck away in third.

The first seven home were all trained in Europe and it was the 12th time out of 14 the Europeans have plundered the Vase.

The final race of a gruelling season was a bridge too far for race favourite Dylan Thomas, who could only manage seventh of the 13-runner field.

Olivier Peslier positioned the Richard Gibson-trained five-year-old in a handy place on the rails in the early stages but when the pace slowed down the far side, Doctor Dino lost his place and had to come from behind in the home straight. Once Peslier got daylight, Doctor Dino quickened up nicely to mow down the runner-up inside the last 100m.

An ecstatic Gibson said: 'You have to prepare carefully for this and we had this race planned six months ago.'

'He has been in such good shape and we´ve had positive vibes about him this week but you need luck in running and things didn´t look good early in the straight but when you have the likes of Olivier Peslier riding for you then you don´t worry. This is his first time over a mile and a half and who knows what next.'

'Running in events like this are the reason one gets up in the morning and this is absolutely great. If he comes out of this fine then Dubai is a possible.'

Peslier said: 'I had to be patient and stay on the rail. He showed a great turn of foot and when he got out in the straight but I knew he´d win. The horse´s win today was down to the trainer who´s done a great job with him. It´s his first time at 12 furlongs and we came here rather than Japan because this is a flatter track and an easier trip.'