Trainer David Hall described today's Queen Mother Memorial Cup win with Bubble Chic as “target accomplished” after the French import defied top weight of 133 pounds to lead throughout in the HKG3 Handicap over 2400 metres.

Jockey Karis Teetan literally followed Hall's instructions to “give the horse the softest possible run” when he rolled to the front and was then allowed to dictate terms with crawling first four splits of 26.73s, 25.39s, 27.44s and 27.08s.

“I wasn't surprised he won when I saw the sectionals down the back and it was the race I'd targeted with him for some time. I thought he was a very competitive chance and obviously the slow pace helped,” Hall said.

Bubble Chic recorded a time of 2m33.62s, more than five seconds above standard, as he won by a half-length from Sunny Ying with favourite Khaya a short head further back in third place.

Hall added that the biggest surprise for him was when entries were made for the race. “No horse rated above 102 was a bit of a surprise and that left us as topweight and he's not a very big horse (Bubble Chic) so that was some concern.

“But he's come on very well this season since he's been gelded. He took time to acclimatise here in Hong Kong as is the case with many European horses but he' s solid now and coping well. To me, this race is target accomplished. Naturally, we'll look at the Champions and Chater but that's a different story taking on the Group horses at level weights,” Hall said.

Today's pedestrian pace meant questions might linger over the genuine staying prowess of all runners including the winner but Hall is optimistic that staying races will be Bubble Chic's forte.

“I suppose we didn't learn anything concrete given the pace but he's a very clean winded horse and has a good on speed style of racing. I was so pleased to see him win today with the step up in trip and I'm sure we can find another suitable race for him,” Hall said.