On Sunday Sha Tin Racecourse hosted one of the world’s elite single-day racing festivals with the Hong Kong International Race Day lighting up the track featuring four Group 1 events including the HK$16 million Hong Kong Mile (1600m) won by Beauty Flash.

Ridden by Melbourne Cup winning hoop Gerald Mosse, five-year-old Golan gelding Beauty Flash jumped well from their wide barrier 14 draw and was able to finish nearly a length ahead of Royal Bench with Sahpresa in third.

Settling well in second behind early leader Sight Winner, the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Flash was given the perfect ride hitting the front at the 300 metre mark before continuing on to claim an emphatic victory.

Royal Bench was impressive moving from last in the field to snare second, while Sahpresa’s run was also eye-catching after they were left racing wide and without cover over the final 1000m.

It was a dead heat for fourth between A Shin Forward and Rajsaman, while the disappointment of the race was Paco Boy who finished dead last after finding the slow pace of the race unsuitable.

The Hong Kong Mile was the final career start for Pace Boy who will now be retired along with triple Hong Kong Mile winner Good Ba Ba.

Only 13 horses contested the 2010 Hong Kong Mile following the scratching of clear favourite and defending champion, the John Moore-trained Able One, who was to be ridden by Aussie jockey Darren Beadman.

Able One was found to be lame in their left hind leg prior to the race and subsequently withdrawn.

Connections have hinted at sending Beauty Flash overseas to race in Dubai and Japan in the other big mile races of the world.

Aussie punters were able to enjoy a bet on the Hong Kong International Races thanks to markets open at leading online bookie Luxbet, who also have the hottest odds on all the summer racing action here in Australia!

2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile Results & Finishing Order