Viva Pataca prevails at Sha Tin

Viva Pataca had to work hard for his victory in the $1 million Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. Sent off as the 3-10 favorite, the John Moore trainee took a narrow lead over Packing Winner approaching the eighth-pole and maintained it to the line under Darren Beadman, prevailing by a neck while getting the 1 1/4 miles on a good turf course in a tepid 2:04.61. The Dubai Sheema Classic is under consideration for Viva Pataca but owner Stanley Ho expressed reservations about making the journey.

Moore completed a Hong Kong Group 1 double when the application of first-time blinkers helped Dim Sum hold off the late challenges of Hong Kong Sprint winners Enthused and Sacred Kingdom to land the $580,000 Chariman's Sprint Prize by a head and a neck. The 50-1 Dim Sum covered the 6 furlongs on 1:09.49.- Alan Shuback