At a meeting which celebrates equine superstars, the best was saved until last with Japanese champion Maurice blowing rivals away to win the HK$25 million Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the Noriyuki Hori-trained Maurice ($1.75 fav) was buried away back on the rails whilst compatriot A Shin Hikari was burning turf out in front, setting a sizzling tempo.
Leading by six lengths turning for home, any hope of A Shin Hikari going back-to-back in the Hong Kong Cup was quickly snuffed out, Moore charging-up along the fence, angling across heels before exploding away to score by three lengths.
"There was a good pace to the race," Moore said.
"Going down the back stretch I thought things were going well, it was a just a question of finding a way through.
"When I asked him he picked up and really he got to the front almost too soon.
"He was a special horse at a mile and at ten furlongs he's even better."
Locally-trained Secret Weapon ($11) chased gamely into second place for Hugh Bowman with another Japanese stayer, Staphanos ($18), finishing third beaten 3-1/2 lengths. A Shin Hikari got a stitch in the straight and tired noticeably, finishing tenth.
The devastating victory by Maurice will long live in the memory of racing fans, a fine way to close out a career as the six-year-old entire retires to stud.
Maurice remains undefeated at Sha Tin, winning three Group I events from his three trips to Hong Kong.
The son of Screen Hero won the 2015 Hong Kong Mile, 2016 Champions Mile and has now added the 2016 Hong Kong Cup to his resume.
