Racing: Viva Pataca sets new stakes mark

The evergreen Viva Pataca became the highest money earner in the history of Hong Kong racing when he won the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The win was an 18th career victory for the John Moore-trained 8-year-old, his 13th win in Hong Kong, his eighth group one, his second in this race and took his total prize-money earnings to HK$80,232,500 ($14,340,488), eclipsing the HK$75,410,500 mark set by the 2005 APQEII Cup winner Vengeance Of Rain.

Viva Pataca placed in fourth spot and in touch with the Japanese leader Never Bouchon who crawled through the first 1200m in 1:18.2. He loomed up to the leaders on straightening and zoomed home over the last 400m in 22.19, which gave the backmarkers no chance of overhauling him.

Lizard's Desire and Super Satin filled the placings, coming from midfield and finishing just ahead of the front-runner Never Bouchon.

Trainer Luca Cumani conceded the race just wasn't run to suit the defending champion, Presvis, but said the horse would press on to Singapore.

"He just couldn't come from last the way the race was run. But he motored to the line and would have won in another 100 yards.

"Unfortunately that's the way it is. You can't change tactics with him as he just doesn't begin well enough and if you dig him up early he's going to race too keenly. He's always going to be hostage to the pace," Cumani said.

Earlier, Moore had also won the Champions Mile with Able One, who beat the Paul O'Sullivan-trained Fellowship, and the performances of Hong Kong's stars was a further bonus on a day which saw turnover climb to HK$1.085 billion - a significant rise on HK$912 million in 2009.

Sydney jockey Darren Beadman who rode Able One said the horse now made his own luck.

"We have had a little bit of gear change with him by using the hood. He can dictate wherever he wants to be and he has a great turn of foot. John and the stable have done a great job in getting back to the form he showed when he won this race a few years ago."

Trainer John Moore said Able One had hit a purple patch of form.

"His last run was very good and I felt he was fitter today than when he last won. The race panned out exactly as we wanted and he ran a great time again.

"He has hairline fractures in different areas but this season he has been a very sound horse. As regards future plans, I think we might be going to the Yasuda Kinen next as his owner [Dr Cornel Li]'s wife likes to go shopping in Japan."

Australian jockey Zac Puton said Fellowship had every chance but just found one better on the day.

"He ran right up to his best. The mile here can sometimes prove a fraction beyond him and that was the case again here today."

Former Matamata trainer Paul O'Sullivan was also looking at a trip either to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen or to Royal Ascot.

"He ran his heart out as usual. He's a marvellous old warrior."