Strong Return, second in this race last year, improved on that result this year with a record breaking 1.31.3 time for the 1600m for both the race and the track records.

Strong Return was absent for quite some time after that race last year with a leg injury, but his return race augured well for his future. It was jockey Yuichi Fukunaga's first win in the race.

To give some idea of the speed, the HOng Kong runners Lucky Nine who finished 11th and Glorious Days 14th both ran fast times of 1.32.1 and 1.32.4 respectively.

Second went to Grand Prix Boss who had done very little of late, third the very unheralded Cosmo Sensor with Danon Yoyo fourth and Garbo fifth.

Sadamu Patek may not have got the trip and finished 9th, but Craig Williams did ride a double and a second plus a fourth and then this ninth.