Official order of finish of The Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1-2400m)

The determination of Yutaka Take and bravery of Stay Gold, coupled with the daring and bravado of Frankie Dettori, set up a finish of the ages in the HK$14 million Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin today. The favourite Stay Gold prevailed in the last millisecond of a dramatic act that will be long remembered by those privileged to see it.

Riding Ekraar for Godolphin, Dettori decided to make the race his own with 1000 metres still to travel. He dashed Godolphin's Ekraar clear from that point ¡V quickly establishing a four lengths break on his rivals entering the straight. At the 200 metres marker, Ekraar was still well clear, galloping strongly and seemingly assured of victory.

But Yutaka Take had other ideas aboard Stay Gold, who was relentlessly chipping away at the advantage held by the horse in blue Godolphin silks. However, his task still appeared looked forlorn with as little as 50 metres to run. However, Stay Gold kept rallying on the outside as Ekraar began to feel the pinch and the Japanese horse prevailed memorably in the last bound by a head.

Six and three-quarter lengths further back, Indigenous was rallying to finish third in his fifth run in the race. Foundation Spirit was fourth for France.

Post-race quotes:

1: Stay Gold (trainer, Yasuo Ikee): "I was excited during the stretch run, but I wasn't worried. Yutaka Take knows this horse, he knows exactly when to make the winning move with him. This was very much a repeat of the Dubai race [the Dubai Sheema Classic last March], when Stay Gold beat Fantastic Light. I'm very pleased, proud and happy. The efforts were tremendous by both my horse and the one who finished second. I didn't train Stay Gold any special way for this race. He's mature, he's experienced and he knows what to do on the track. This was definitely Stay Gold's last race. He will now be retired to stud duty."

Stay Gold (jockey, Yutaka Take): "In the early part of the race, I was a little bit farther back than I wanted to be. But as you can see, everything worked out fine. I'm very happy. Stay Gold put in a tremendous effort. I was confident in the stretch that we would catch the horse in front of us. And that's what we did. It was just like what happened when we beat Fantastic Light in Dubai. There are no difficulties in riding a horse like Stay Gold. He does what he's supposed to do, virtually on his own."

2: Ekraar (jockey, Frankie Dettori): "They went slow and I know he is a tough horse so I decided to go for it. He gave it his best shot. What can you say?"

Ekraar (Simon Crisford, racing manager, Godolphin): "He has run a great race. He was a top two-year-old but has been a bit in and out recently. He has pulled himself together today."

3: Indigenous (jockey, Douglas Whyte): "I rode him for the place and he gave me a good kick in the straight. There would have been no point chasing the leaders early on so I held on to him. We're happy with the end result."

4: Foundation Spirit (jockey, Thierry Thulliez): "I had a good position and he has run a great race for a three-year-old but has got tired in the last 100 metres."

5: Helene Vitality (trainer, David Hayes): "He ran up to his best."

6: Daliapour (trainer, Sir Michael Stoute): "I'm a little disappointed. I thought he would be second or third turning into the straight but he just emptied."

Daliapour (jockey, Johnny Murtagh): "It was a messy race and a tougher race than last year. He needs a truly run race but he was a bit disappointing. He just emptied on me."

7: White Heart (jockey, Gary Stevens): "He was under pressure at the turn and didn't go forward as I wanted him to."

White Heart (trainer, Neil Drysdale): "He's better over 2000 metres. He doesn't get 2400 metres."

8: Tapildo (jockey, Eddie Wilkinson): "She's better than that. That's not her best at all."

9: Caitano (jockey, Olivier Peslier): " I dropped him in behind the winner, but when Stay Gold moved forward mine didn't.

10: Kevin Darley (Zindabad): "I had a lovely position on the bend, but when the race started in earnest 600m out he lost his footing as Daliapour went past him. He's a funny horse and he never got his momentum going again."

Zindabad (trainer, Mark Johnston): "I am a bit disappointed. He was squeezed up in the backstretch and downed tools. He stayed on under pressure but is not suited tough race."

11: Survey General (trainer John Moore): He was tapped for a turn of foot about 600m out."