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DESIGNS ON ROME gave John Moore and Joao Moreira a big-race double when getting up at the death to defeat old foe Military Attack.
Earlier Able Friend had coasted to victory in the Longines Hong Kong Mile, but Designs On Rome's manner of victory was far more hard fought.
Rounding the final turn victory for the favourite appeared unlikely as Moreira was having to push the four-year-old along, but he worked up a good head of steam in the straight to deny Military Attack on the line.
The Dubai World Cup meeting now beckons for Designs On Rome, as Moore said: "We know he's a horse you have to stoke up and get motoring, but he keeps kicking under pressure and won't give up. The owners keen to go to Dubai for the Sheema Classic and a mile and a half won't be a problem - he just keeps going."
Moreira added: "I had to work hard, but he showed his ability - he's a good horse. You've got to get to work early on him otherwise he hasn't enough time to get the other horses. He proved himself and does have a turn of foot."
For the Europeans, Cirrus Des Aigles, third in the race last year, again ran a cracker when not beaten far in fourth for Corine Barande-Barbe.
The trainer said: "He's done us proud, but I think at this track he doesn't give 100 per cent as it's very hard ground, a lot quicker than Britain or France and he knows he's here. He will tell us, but we'll probably go to Dubai."
Sure World had set an even tempo with Farraaj handy for Andrea Atzeni. Criterion, who had also been prominent, took the lead in the straight, but was pounced on late and had to settle for third.
Farraaj was only able to keep on at the one pace in sixth, and Roger Varian felt the race was not run to suit.
He said:" It was a stop-start race race and he ran well. It was a tough race and he was just caught flat-footed off a slow pace. We'll get him home before making plans, but a strong gallop - like the tempo we get back home - over a mile two on fast ground is ideal."
Atzeni agreed with Varian's assessment as he added: "The pace was too slow and they just went away from him. He'd stay further, but really wants a strong gallop."
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