Mastery triumphs in Hong Kong Vase

His decisive victory over 12 of the world’s best horses at a mile and a half provided the 200th Godolphin winner of the year.

Mastery, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, overcame niggles encountered earlier in the year to beat Redwood by two and a half lengths under a confident Frankie Dettori ride.

The four-year-old Sulamani colt was slightly slow into stride from stall two but soon recovered to race in third on the inside rail.

Dettori was happy to bide his time as Mastery, a Classic winner in both England and Italy last year, travelled strongly behind a slow early pace.

The combination began their move to glory turning in with three furlongs remaining and went second to the pacesetting Mighty High.

Mastery challenged the leader entering the straight and went ahead as Dettori asked him to lengthen.

Showing an excellent turn of foot, the Godolphin colt established a decisive lead by the furlong pole and came home unchallenged in 2 minutes 27.69 seconds on ground officially described as good.

It was a 12th Group/Grade One victory by a Godolphin horse during 2010.

Saeed bin Suroor, Mastery’s trainer, said: “Mastery has been pleasing me for a while.

“He was flying in his work and came into today in great condition. We got him ready especially for this race.

“We knew he had the class to win which he did easily and it feels great to end the year with the last runner giving Godolphin 200 successes for 2010.

“We shall keep Mastery in training next year and all the options are open including the Sheema Classic back in Dubai.”

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, was delighted to see Mastery overcome problems that had seen him appear only three times previously during 2010.

He commented: “Mastery had a few problems earlier in the year and it is fantastic that he has come back to his best in the Hong Kong Vase.

“He was given a masterful ride by Frankie Dettori and won with a lot of authority.

“It a huge win for Godolphin, providing the 200th victory of the year and the 12th Group One success of 2010. I am delighted for the whole team at Godolphin.”

Dettori had been confident going into the Hong Kong Vase. He explained: “Saeed told me the horse has been in flying form.

“Mastery has been slow getting out of the stalls and he was again today.

“He was going so well and, once I got him out and clear in the straight, I knew nobody would catch us.

“He won the St Leger last year and is a very good horse. He’s had very little racing this year as a four-year-old and the fresh legs have paid off.

“It has been a great training job by Saeed and the team. My first thoughts about where to go next would be the Dubai Sheema Classic.”