Good Ba Ba wins again.

Good Ba Ba strolls to Stewards' success

Report: Hong Kong, Saturday

Sha Tin: Stewards' Cup (Group 1)1m turf

CHRISTOPHE SOUMILLON hailed Hong Kong superstar Good Ba Ba as one of the best he has ever ridden after the seven-year-old strolled to a second successive victory in the Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin on Saturday.


A race billed as a clash between Hong Kong's two top horses proved totally one-sided as an imperious Good Ba Ba took the £760,000 event in effortless fashion. Viva Pataca, who is better over a longer trip, took third place - for the third year running.

Sent off 1-2 favourite, the brilliant son of Lear Fan was patiently handled as usual towards the tail of the field.

He cantered past his rivals from the top of the straight and in an instant the only race concerned the battle for second place.

Good Ba Ba won eased down by a length and three-quarters from Fellowship to record his tenth victory over Sha Tin's mile.

Soumillon felt the reigning Horse of the Year had felt "as good, if not better" than his stunning victory in last month's Hong Kong Mile.

"It was just very easy," said the rider. "I just sat on him quietly and he changed his legs at the turn and cruised to the lead. It was automatic. He's just very good - one of the best I have ever ridden."

Trainer Andreas Schutz added Good Ba Ba would remain in Hong Kong in a bid to repeat last year's Group 1 four-timer by annexing Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in March and the Champions Mile against international opposition at the end of April.

Ranked the world's top older turf miler in the World Thoroughbred Rankings recently, Good Ba Ba clearly has the measure ofevery other miler in Hong Kong, although stronger opposition may yet emerge from world champion sprinter, Sacred Kingdom, who is set to make a belated seasonal debut next weekend.Ba