'It's a big day for me and for German racing . . . it worked out perfectly in the end' - trainer Wohler

Winter sun-seeker Silvano powered through the wind and rain at Sha Tin yesterday to land the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup and become the first German-trained winner in Hong Kong. The five-year-old followed up his recent profitable trips to Singapore and Dubai with a decisive 1.75-length success which his delighted young trainer, Andreas Wohler, proclaimed as 'the biggest victory of my career'.

Favourite Jim And Tonic, the 1999 winner and last year's runner-up, had to settle for second again, while Indigenous fared best of the home team with a brave third.

Hong Kong Derby winner Industrial Pioneer, sent off second favourite, trailed in a disappointing 11th. Trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee knew it was over before they even turned for home. 'You could tell he was beaten when it was push, push, push before he reached the straight. Maybe he doesn't like it this soft. He'll be back anyway.'

But the day belonged to Wohler and his Austrian-born jockey Andreas Suborics. The trainer said: 'I'm so happy. It's a big day for me and for German racing. I was worried because we were competing against some very good horses, but it worked out perfectly. Jim And Tonic is a proven horse at this level and Silvano deserves a lot of credit for beating him.'

Wohler, 39, paid tribute to Suborics' judgment as Daliapour set a strong tempo under John Egan. 'We didn't know how much pace there would be, but Andreas knows the horse well and he did the right thing in not chasing the leader. He timed his run perfectly.'

Suborics settled Silvano about five lengths off Daliapour, who set some fast fractions with Idol tucked in behind. He crept closer around the turn and hit the front 300 metres out as Jim And Tonic began his customary charge. But the three-times Hong Kong winner never looked likely to close the gap and Silvano ran on strongly for a clear-cut win.

The victory was another handsome reward for Wohler's plan to send Silvano around the world's winter hotspots in search of riches. The five-year-old's earnings over the past seven weeks now stand at more than $10 million after adding yesterday's $5.7 million first prize to his runaway success in the Singapore Cup and third place in the Dubai Sheema Classic.