The first of four Cathay Pacific International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon was the HK$14 million ($1.8 million U.S.) Hong Kong Vase (G1) contested at 2400 meters (1 1/2 miles) on the turf. Thirteen older horses went to post with last year's winner Doctor Dino the 6-5 favorite exiting a 5th place effort in the Canadian International, over Copa Argentina runner-up Jaguar Mail at 3-1 and Japan Cup 9th place finisher Jaguar Mail at 7-1.
Jockey Douglas Whyte sent Packing Winner to the lead and he set the early pace of 27.27, 52.58, 1:18.16, and 1:42.78 while as many as 1 3/4 lengths clear of Douro Valley, Jaguar Mail, and Mourilyan in stalking position. Packing Winner continued to lead at the top of the lane, but he tired through the stretch and finished 5th. Jaguar Mail gained the lead in mid stretch, but Doctor Dino, who was unhurried early under jockey Olivier Peslier, closed well to defeat Jaguar Mail by a head in 2:29.14 over the good turf course. It was another neck back to late-closing Jaguar Mail third.
