Paul O'Sullivan lauded Aerovelocity as "the toughest and bravest horse" he's trained after the Longines Hong Kong Sprint winner picked himself up off the canvas to become the first foreign-trained horse to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo in Japan yesterday.

I'm starting to think he's the best I've ever trained. If he's not the greatest, then at least the toughest and bravest horse
Paul O'Sullivan

After a night of near misses in Dubai, where six of the Hong Kong seven recorded top-five finishes without winning, the Bauhinia flag flew proudly as Aerovelocity (Zac Purton) produced a second wind after seemingly finding little at the top of the straight to score in the 197.6 million yen (HK$12.8 million) Group One feature, holding out long-time leader Hakusan Moon (Manabu Sakai) and local favourite Mikki Isle (Suguru Hamanaka).

"What a great horse. I'm starting to think he's the best I've ever trained. If he's not the greatest, then at least the toughest and bravest horse," Kiwi trainer O'Sullivan said, before adding with a laugh: "Perhaps the New Zealand cricket team could have used him out there today.

"He never gives in, he never says die. He's just all courage and all tenacity and to do what he did there, words can't explain. It's his trademark style now. You'd go to war with him."

Concerns emerged earlier in the day when drizzle set in, and while the track was officially rated good, Purton - who made it a double after a win on the undercard - said a heavy two-day programme and the persistent rain had given him some doubts, particularly with the horse jumping from gate four.

Paul O'Sullivan has gone from strength to strength this season, firmly entrenching himself in the top echelon of trainers in Hong Kong. Photo: Kenneth Chan

"I was worried when the rain came because he was unproven on the surface, and obviously he was drawn low so was going to be in that part of the track. The track wasn't that bad, but it had chopped up a little bit and it was a little loose," Purton told the large Japanese crowd post-race.

Perhaps the New Zealand cricket team could have used him out there today
Paul O'Sullivan

"Midway through the race he wasn't handling the ground that well, he was dipping and diving, and at the top of the straight he lost his momentum a bit.

"But once he got to the better part of the track, he was able to get his toe into the ground and he showed how big a heart he has and how well he can fight. He was really determined to win this race."

The trainer was keen to let the dust settle before deciding where he would take the six-year-old next, but he said future Global Sprint Challenge legs in Singapore, England and Japan would come under consideration.

"I'm not too sure where to go next. I'd always thought we'd go to Singapore for the Krisflyer Sprint if he handled the trip all right here, but now the Global Sprint Challenge bonus must be a consideration," he said.

Zac Purton and Aerovelocity, pictured after the Hong Kong Sprint. Purton has been aboard Aerovelocity at his last 12 starts for eight wins and three placings.

"There's a US$1 million bonus if he can win three legs, and he's now got one out of the way, so it is definitely something to consider. We'll sit down and discuss it, but I think Singapore would still be on the radar and maybe the Sprinters Stakes back here in October."

He showed how big a heart he has and how well he can fight. He was really determined to win this race
Zac Purton

"The thing is, though, today was only his fifth run of the season. He's still pretty lightly raced for the season and while I want to see how he takes the trip back and how he's handled the run today, I don't think he's at his bottom yet."

For O'Sullivan, who had his first taste of Japanese Group One glory more than 25 years ago when Horlicks, the superstar grey mare he trained in partnership with his father Dave, won the 1989 Japan Cup, it was another step towards returning his stable to the top after a lean period.

"It's great to win anywhere, but this is particularly special," he said. "I've been very open about how Aerovelocity has been the horse that has made a difference to my stable, and to take him overseas and prove how good he is - it's a great result."

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