Armada captures Stewards Cup

Armada established himself as the best miler in Hong Kong on Sunday with a handy 1 1/4-length victory in the Group 1, $1 million Stewards Cup at Sha Tin.

The 5-year-old Armada, ridden by Doug Whyte, cruised to the lead at the furlong pole for a decisive score over Hello Pretty to give trainer John Size his fourth Stewards Cup win in the last six years.

The Duke, who defeated Armada by a head in the Hong Kong Mile on Dec. 10, finished sixth on Sunday, 4 3/4 lengths behind the winner. Multiple Group 1 winners Bullish Luck and Vengeance of Rain were fourth and fifth. The winning time was 1:34.10.

Armada has now won 8 of his 10 starts in Hong Kong. With the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown for older horses now under his belt, he will make his first attempt beyond a mile in the series's second leg, the 1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Gold Cup on March 4.

Earlier, Floral Pegasus captured the Group 1, $1 million Hong Kong Classic Mile for 4-year-olds with a 1 1/4-length tally over Viva Macau. Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the Tony Cruz-trained Floral Pegasus covered the mile in 1:34.60 as the 2-1 favorite.