Poet's Word fared best of the European challengers in sixth as Time Warp made every yard of the running to win the Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.
Time Warp, who was previously trained in Britain by Sir Mark Prescott, was given a fine front-running ride by Zac Purton, setting what appeared to be just a steady pace through the early stages.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Deauville was settled in fifth on the rail by Ryan Moore, with Harry Dunlop's Robin Of Navan racing alongside him, and while both tried to challenge, they fell away in the straight as Time Warp pushed on again.
Local favourite Werther tried his best to reel in Time Warp, but the winner had flown and Werther had to be happy with second while Neorealism, who never settled, was third.
Poet's Word had to race wide round the bend and he tried to challenge down the middle of the track but just could not find the necessary acceleration and kept on for sixth.
O'Brien's other runner War Decree was always off the pace, while Andrew Balding's Blond Me got pushed back to last at the start and could never mount a challenge.
Purton said of the winner: "He's got a high cruising speed and he can kick off that."
Andrea Atzeni, rider of Poet's Word, thought the ground may have been against his mount.
He said: "We were forced wide into the straight and he maybe found the ground quicker than ideal."
Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Poet's Word's owner Saeed Suhail, added: "The ground was faster than he likes and he's better over a mile and a half, but he's a very nice horse to look forward to."
Oisin Murphy was not too downhearted after Blond Me's effort, and said: "It wasn't her day but she's had a great season."
War Decree's rider Seamie Heffernan added: "He shows us a lot at home but is yet to show it on the track."
