Sunday 14 December 2014 08:52, UK
Flintshire finally enjoyed his big day in the sunshine by winning the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Runner-up in both the Arc and the Breeders' Cup Turf this autumn, the Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old appeared to have a little less on his plate in this Group One over a mile and a half.
And so it proved as jockey Maxime Guyon engineered a decisive move inside the final half a furlong to easily account for Willie Cazals.
Red Cadeaux, who won this race in 2012, finished sixth, while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky was one place behind the fellow English raider.
Jim Bolger's Parish Hall was sent on his way at big odds and was never a factor in the hands of Kevin Manning.
Khaya made most of the running and did well to stick on for third place, with Dominant fourth.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Flintshire's owner, Khalid Abdullah, said: "It was really important for us to win this race.
"It was absolutely thrilling because we've had a couple of near-misses before.
"I was a bit worried when they went no pace, and I was yelling from the stands to encourage Maxime to go on.
"But this horse has a very good turn of foot, combined with his stamina.
"Maxime has given him a super ride coming through to win quite easily in the end.
"He stays in training and we will map out an international campaign next year.
"We will certainly look at Dubai in March."
Flintshire ended up winning by half a length after he came with a powerful late surge off a crawling pace.
Guyon outflanked Red Cadeaux and Snow Sky at the top of the home straight and was angled towards the centre of track to collect with some authority.
Stoute said of Snow Sky: "I was a bit disappointed with him.
"Since arriving here he'd looked well and had adapted well, but he just didn't get up when Ryan (Moore) asked him to quicken."
Moore said: "He just flattened out when I asked him, which was a bit disappointing."
Trainer Ed Dunlop is already looking to the future with renowned traveller Red Cadeaux.
He said: "We'll continue running overseas and while there are some races I like the look of in Australia, it could be that we try him on dirt.
"There is the Gold Cup over two miles in Dubai to consider."
Manning felt the slow pace had contributed to the downfall of Parish Hall, who beat just one horse home.
He said: "The way the race was run wasn't ideal for him, but he just didn't seem the same as he has been in the past."
