Dermot Weld's Free Eagle was bitterly disappointing as A Shin Hikari produced a brilliant front-running display to claim the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Dermot Weld's Free Eagle was bitterly disappointing as A Shin Hikari produced a brilliant front-running display to claim the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the Irish Champion Stakes and sixth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Free Eagle looked a major contender on what was set to be his final start before retirement.
Pat Smullen looked to have the Moyglare Stud-owned four-year-old ideally positioned for much of the 10-furlong journey, sitting in a handy third as A Shin Hikari set the fractions.
The Irish challenger looked poised to strike rounding the home turn, but found disappointingly little when coming under pressure and weakened dramatically to finish last but one.
While Free Eagle faltered, A Shin Hikari remarkably quickened further clear of his toiling rivals for a comprehensive victory in the hands of a jubilant Yutaka Take.
Nuovo Record was best of the rest in second under Ryan Moore, with Blazing Speed third.