Loves Only You bows out at the top in Japanese one-two in Hong Kong Cup

Japanese star mare Loves Only You went out at the top on her final start when prevailing in a thrilling finish to the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

Yuga Kawada had to bide his time on the hot favourite early in the home straight before coming late to shade Hishi Iguazu to give the Japanese a one-two in the 1m2f contest.

Kawada said: "I’m really proud. She jumped well but the pace was a bit slow. She relaxed well and then I was able to get a good position.

"She’s given me two big presents. She’s the best female horse I’ve ever ridden. I hope she will be a good mother.”

Local runner Russian Emperor, who struck for home early in the straight, weakened to finish third just ahead of Dubai Honour, who fared best of the European runners in fourth.

The William Haggas-trained runner, who had finished second in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on his previous start, overcame traffic problems of his own before finishing with a flourish and would have been third in another couple of strides.

Haggas said: "Dubai Honour ran a really good race and he was just a bit unfortunate with how the race unfolded, which often happens there. When he got out and hit his stride he really came home well. This trip will have taught him a lot and hopefully we'll have a smart international performer on our hands next year."

Also in the 12-runner line-up for the world's richest 1m2f race (£2.8 million) were Irish pair Bolshoi Ballet and Mac Swiney.

After making a bold move to take up the running in the back straight, Bolshoi Ballet weakened in the straight to finish ninth for Ryan Moore, while Mac Swiney came home last.

Loves Only You, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, was backing up her equally thrilling win in the Grade 1 Filly & Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in November and had also scored at Group 1 level at Sha Tin in April.

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