So what did we make of the Yasuda Kinen result?
Well for one thing Vodka's win in the Yasuda Kinen franked the form of the Dubai Duty Free. As Jay Peg did in Singapore and Archipenko did in the QE II Cup. And together they have shown that there is not some 'Bermuda Triangle' jinx over competition in the desert, wherein horses lose form never to be found again.
Vodka herself was beaten against her own gender in Japan when she returned from running fourth in Dubai but bounced back to what, despite a Derby win 12 months ago, was certainly her peak performance on Sunday.
Not too many would have lived with her turn of foot in the straight and she further highlighted the capabilities of trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii.
From a Hong Kong perspective, Armada's second was very encouraging, though history-watchers may not be keen to see him have a second shot next year.
While Bullish Luck improved on a fourth to Asakusa Den'en in 2005 to win the Yasuda handsomely in 2006, Good Ba Ba became yet another second time visitor who went backwards from his first attempt.
