MICK Kinane left on his Melbourne Cup mission last night boosted by a Sha Tin success and an excellent draw for Vintage Crop in tomorrow's HK$11 million Australasian showpiece.
As Kinane winged off into the night, trainer Patrick Biancone was toasting a superb stable double that could have a tremendous bearing on Hong Kong's hopes in next month's International Races.
Fittingly on Remy XO Day, the French maestro produced Helene Star to win the main event in front of 51,000 fans and underline his International Cup claims while the much-publicised newcomer, Gazebo Star, produced a dazzling staying display to make a place in the International Vase lineup a certainty.
Gazebo Star, who has multiple Australian Group placed form including a two-length defeat by the brilliant Danewin, is an exciting addition to the staying ranks.
Biancone said: 'It has been a good day for the stable. Helene Star will go for the Stewards' Cup next week and I am sure they will both run in the International Races.' Irish ace Kinane rode a classic staying race on Champion Mascot for David Hayes and left in search of a historic Melbourne Cup double delighted that Vintage Crop had drawn eight in the field of 23.
'I could not be more pleased with that,' he said.
'We were done no favours by the draw last year but this is a real bonus for us.
