Racing: Dettori produces masterly ride in feature success

HONG KONG - Mastery described the effort of Frankie Dettori as much as the racehorse in last night's US$1.8 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.

The England-based Italian rode a picture-perfect race to land one of the biggest punts in months in Hong Kong.

The Godolphin-owned stallion started locally at $4.80 after a late plunge, being as long as $11 and $12 with some international agencies.

Drawing barrier No 2 played a part in the win. Dettori had only to get the under-developed stayer out quickly and place him in the trail with the horse doing the rest.

Dettori wasn't waiting for the others when they turned into the home straight - he shot Mastery clear and the race was over at the 300m.

Americain, also heavily backed into $2.50 favourite, set out after Mastery, but he raced like a horse coming off the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup.

His finishing spurt was far too dour to pick up the winner, who dashed home by 2 lengths, and he was beaten by a neck for second by Redwood.

"We were very confident," said Dettori as the big Hong Kong crowd showed its appreciation of a rider they consider a hero.

"This horse is untapped [12 starts] and has a very big future."

Mastery probably won't get the favours he received last night in too many top races from this point, but will clearly win his share.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, not known for his extravagant quotes, simply shrugged his shoulders over Americain's effort. "He tried hard, but couldn't sprint with them. The two miles [3200m] of the Melbourne Cup was probably more his race."

J J The Jet Plane proved the nickname of his trainer Michael Houdalakis to be on the money when he got the better of Singapore champion Rocket Man in the final four strides of the US$1.8 million Cathay Pacific Sprint.

Houdalakis is known in his native South Africa as "Lucky". That's unlikely to change any time soon. He has done a magnificent job of preparing J J The Jet Plane, after the wheels fell off the sprinter when he was sent to England to be trained last year.

He has been back in South Africa for only a matter of months and in three times to the races for Houdalakis has now won three group one races.

Rocket Man looked the winner when he got the better of local champion Sacred Kingdom halfway down the home straight and for a while was holding J J The Jet Plane.

Pierre Strydom got to work hard on J J The Jet Plane and the South African ran the last four strides too strongly. Like the previous four races, the Sprint proved to be an on-pace race.

Australian mare Ortensia got back beyond midfield and did well to finish fifth, two lengths from the winner.

Mike Dillon flew to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific