Rulership takes Sha Tin crown
Japan plundered the 10-furlong contest with Eishin Preston in both 2002 and 2003 and the Katsuhiko Sumii-trained Rulership added to that tally in the race in fine style.
Rispoli, riding on the final day of his Hong Kong contract, used his initiative to track pacesetter Fay Fay before darting for a small gap between that horse and the rail early in the straight.
The combination quickly pulled clear to come home unchallenged by three and three-quarter lengths as Thumbs Up pipped local favourite Sweet Orange for second.
Aidan O’Brien’s Treasure Beach dropped back tamely after trying to challenge Fay Fay straightening up for home, while France’s Chinchon could never get in a blow after being well back early on.
Rispoli said: “I won on him in Japan last year and when I rode him in the mornings last week he went extremely well.
“I had two scares which were the ground and the pace. The ground had dried-up but the pace was slow, so I rushed him up and pushed-on.”
