On Sunday champion galloper Sacred Kingdom claimed victory and reclaimed his position as the world?s top sprinter in the HK$12million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) defeating a quality 14-horse field at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Ricky Yiu-trained Sacred Kingdom beat home a gallant One World by just half a length with Joy And Fun a further neck back in third. Fourth placegetter Green Birdie made it a winning quartet for Hong Kong trained horses.

It was Sacred Kingdom?s second victory in the premier sprint event in three years after his 2007 success and he clocked a sharp 1.09.16 seconds over the 1200 metres after starting as the odds-on favourite.

California Flag blasted from the barriers and set a breakneck pace up the straight before the eventual winner Sacred Kingdom stormed past the early leader inside the 200m, holding on to take out the title.

It was a good effort from runner-up One World who came from the back of the field to cross the line second.

Breeders? Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag ended up finishing fifth after fading in the latter stages of the race, the early duel for the lead proving too much for them.

The three fancied Australian runners failed to fire on the day, Apache Cat, All Silent and Scenic Blast finishing seventh, eighth and dead-last in fourteenth respectively. An Australian-trained galloper has not won at the Hong Kong International Raceday since 2001 when Falvelon won the Hong Kong Sprint for a second successive year.

2009 Hong Kong Sprint Results: