Over the next week or so as this year's event approaches Dec. 10, Alan Carasso will take a look back at his top six moments in the history of the Hong Kong International Races. It was Falbrav v. Rakti in the 2003 Cup, but in the end, it was a one-horse affair.
#3 FALBRAV – 2003 Hong Kong Cup
The 2003 Cup featured a mouth-watering clash between two of the world's top-rated horses over 2000m, each–ironically–a winner of the G1 Derby Italiano. Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King) arrived at Sha Tin off an excruciating third to the dead-heating High Chaparral (Ire) and Johar (Gone West) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, while Rakti (GB) (Polish Precedent) was exiting a convincing victory in the G1 Champions S. at Newmarket. The first HKIR starter for legendary trainer Luca Cumani, Falbrav was sent off the 1.7 (7-10) favorite while racing in the Yoshida yellow-and-black. Midfield early and a spot or two ahead of Rakti for the opening five furlongs, Falbrav always traveled beneath Frankie Dettori, but Rakti crept closer to the chalk and the two kept close company for the next 700 metres. Each fired their best shot approaching the ultimate furlong, but, in the words of commentator David Raphael, Falbrav 'sprouted wings' and kicked hardest to score by two lengths (video) in his career finale.
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