3 minute read
The fairytale story of Collier Hill took yet another barely imaginable twist as the eight-year-old British stayer repelled the late thrust of Kastoria by a nose to win the HK$14m Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Photo by HKJC
The horse that cost 5500 pounds as a cast-off and was bought to win a bumper at Catterick before a spell over hurdles has now won over HK$31 million, adding to wins in last year's Irish St Leger and the Canadian International in October.
Collier Hill raced prominently and took over the lead with over 300m to go.
He looked to have the race in safe keeping at the furlong pole before Mick Kinane extricated Kastoria from an awkward passage and unleashed a tremendous run that brought him to within an agonising margin of the winner.
Shamdala, owned like the runner-up by the Aga Khan, ran third with Song Of Wind fourth for Japan.
While it was a tale of hard-luck tale for the Irish-trained runner-up, take nothing from Collier Hill and his jockey Dean McKeown - a man better known for his exploits at tracks in the north of Britain.
"I knew I had it won turning for home!" the rider joked.
"He picked up really well but near the line he turned his head at the crowd shouting and he started to ease up.
"When Kastoria came at him he really stuck his head out and just got in."
Trainer Alan Swinbank trains 120 horses in a yard of flat and jump horses in North Yorkshire.
"He was a bit dehydrated on Thursday and for a time it was touch and go whether we would run, and it was only yesterday that he came right again," Swinbank said.
"We have always had trouble his joints and now we can look after them when he gets home. He deserves a break now, doesn't he?
"Long term, we might come back here next year, but you have to consider his age.
"In the meantime, he will go back to Dubai for the Sheema Classic in March when we will try to go one better than last year."