Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Flintshire settled behind midfield and one off the rails about eight lengths off the slow pace at the 1,200m, swung the final bend two from the right, let down like a classy horse to hit the front 150m out despite shifting ground and held off the onrushing Willie Cazals to chalk up a second career Group One for the French challenger. Willie Cazals produced a huge run to come from near last widest out at the 300m to cut the margin to half-length despite an unfavourable pace. Khaya got away with a slow pace after finding the front 2,000m out and kept on gamely to just hold Dominant for a placing after finding the front 2,000m out. Dominant had every chance after taking the short route home after travelling worse than midfield along the fence. Curren Mirotic settled one-out, one-back, ranged on the leader at the 800m and came up one-paced over the final 150m. Red Cadeaux settled one-off in midfield, swung the final bend with three wider out and ran on steadily without menacing. He had no excuses. Snow Sky was handy along the rails, rallied four deep upon straightening and came up one-paced over the final 200m. Empoli badly missed the start and was never a factor.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (236)-THE LONGINES HONG KONG VASE - Group One - 2400Metres

WAYFOONG EXPRESS was withdrawn on 12.12.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore).

Before being allowed to race again, WAYFOONG EXPRESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

EMPOLI began very awkwardly and lost a significant amount of ground.

PARISH HALL was slow to begin.

In the early and middle stages, RAINBOW CHIC proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PARISH HALL, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, RAINBOW CHIC, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of KHAYA.

After the 700 Metres, RAINBOW CHIC and BUBBLE CHIC momentarily raced tight inside CURREN MIROTIC which shifted in when improving to race outside the lead.

In the Straight, EMPOLI hung in under pressure.

The performance of RAINBOW CHIC, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, RAINBOW CHIC will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of RED CADEAUX, RAINBOW CHIC and SNOW SKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that CURREN MIROTIC was found to have a small puncture wound to the right hind tendon.

FLINTSHIRE and WILLIE CAZALS were sent for sampling.