It's over: Silent Witness sees Luck run out and end his dream run

Three certainties of life were reduced yesterday to two - death and taxes - when Hong Kong's world champion racehorse Silent Witness tasted defeat for the first time.

Unbeaten in his previous 17 starts over 21/2 years, he looked on course for his 18th victory until he was pipped right on the winning post in his first attempt to win at 1,600 metres in the $8 million Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

His winning run was ended by the late charge of renowned miler Bullish Luck who, like Silent Witness, is trained by Tony Cruz.

The thousands of Silent Witness fans may have left the track disappointed but they had watched a true warrior who fought back with rare courage when Bullish Luck headed him.

'I watched the race with very mixed feelings,' Cruz said. 'Naturally, I am delighted that one of my horses has won the Champions Mile but, on the other hand, we all felt so sad that Silent Witness has been beaten.'

Silent Witness' owner, Arthur da Silva, said he was happy with the performance of his horse despite the disappointment.