The big ones at Sha Tin kicked off on International Day with the Group I HK International Vase (2400m) for the stayers and in a year when the French have been on fire all around the world it was French trained Sea the Stars stallion Sosie that took the prize.

There were three stakes races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but strangely, the richest race on the card carries no Black Type, but offers something far more valuable as the winner of the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m) earns a golden ticket into the $3million Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap in 2026.