Eziyra finishes fine third in Hong Kong Vase

Eziyra enhanced her reputation when finishing third in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly, third to the brilliant Sea Of Class in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks  at York in August, was sent off at 36/1 but was beaten a total of just two and a half lengths behind Exultant and Lys Gracieux.

“She had a dream run through behind the winner and she has a lot of stamina,” Christophe Lemaire, her jockey, said.

“She just lacked an instant reaction, but she fought all the way to the line and at this level that is certainly her best performance. I know the Japanese filly (Lys Gracieux) and she is a very good horse. I was happy – she kept on galloping and no excuses.”

Salouen, whose exploits this year included finishing runner-up to Cracksman in the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom, finished a below-par ninth.

Oisin Murphy, who rode him, said: “I did not have the gate speed early and then he was stuck wide. He has not run up to expectations.”

Investec Derby-winning jockey William Buick finished sixth on Pakistan Star but got a six-week ban for what the stewards deemed “reckless riding”.