'He can be a bit headstrong. But he has heaps of ability and he does it when

KINGSTON Treasure (2-1 favourite) took another massive stride along the road to glory with a fighting victory in the Piaget Gold Cup at Sha Tin last night.

Backing up less than a fortnight after putting a dent in the reputation of Fairy King Prawn by winning the Sha Tin Vase, the three-year-old held off the challenge of Special (16-1) and game Made To Figure (12-1) in the 1,400-metre event.

It was a big effort from Kingston Treasure, who has now won four of his five starts and was coming back to this trip from his Vase success over 1,600 metres.

The Piaget success will almost certainly gain further honours for the New Zealand-bred private purchase griffin, who is up against Toy Warrior for the Horse of the Year award in the griffin category at the Champions Awards night next Saturday.

South African ace Robbie Fradd is striking up a worthwhile partnership with Kingston Treasure and he had the grey out smartly and going well in front.

He said: 'He can be a bit headstrong and he is not always the easiest of horses. But he has heaps of ability and he does it when the chips are down. I suppose there was a slight worry about him backing up but he has not had that many runs and he has certainly earned his holiday now.' Special, who has been in largely indifferent form, might have made the finish even more interesting had he been able to get out and have a real crack at the winner.