Kinane wins Hong Kong Cup

Michael Kinane and Precision sprang a 40-1 surprise in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The four-year-old gelding, trained in Hong Kong by Englishman David Oughton, took the Group One race over a mile and a quarter in a photo finish from Paolini (14-1) with Dano-Mast (16-1) third.

Godolphin`s Grandera, the hot favourite, was unable to get a run and finished unplaced in the 14th and final leg of the World Series Championship.

However, he already had an unassailable lead thanks to victories in the Singapore Airlines International Cup and the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes.

Grandera was giving Godolphin their fourth successive World Series title following Daylami in 1999 and Fantastic Light the previous two years.

The early pace set by Come See You was a slow one before Cellini, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, pulled his way to the front.

Frankie Dettori had Grandera towards the rear of the 12-strong field with David Elsworth`s runner Indian Creeklast.

The race developed into a sprint in the straight with several horses holding every chance.

Dettori, celebrating his 32nd birthday, was denied a clear passage as he was the meat in the sandwich between Eishin Preston and Indian Creek.

And it was Kinane who forced Precision on the outside to deny German raider Paolini by a short head with Denmark challenge Dano-Mast half a length away third.

A delighted Kinane said: 'It was little bit unexpected but the way the race was run it was muddling. I was on the outside and I was able to slide into the race with the minimum of fuss.

'While everybody was having a tough trip I was having a very easy one and I was able to accelerate and he accelerated well.

'It`s a fantastic way to finish the season.'

Oughton said: 'He`s always been a lovely horse. He`s deserved to win a good race and I couldn`t be more pleased.

'The result means an awful lot to me - my first on the international stage - it`s great for Hong Kong and for everyone involved.'

A disappointed Dettori said: 'The pace was too slow. It killed me. He needs a strong or even tempo. Then I couldn`t get out and it`s a shame because I was on the best horse in the race.'

The jockey`s views were echoed by Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford who said: 'Grandera`s best run races come when there is genuine pace from the start. Today, he never looked like winning.'

Confirming the four-year-old will stay in training, Crisford continued: 'We are sure he will accomplish himself well next year'.