In his most recent start prior to Sunday's race, Silvano finished third in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) in March after winning the Singapore Cup earlier that month in his seasonal debut. As a 4-year-old, the Andreas Wohler-trained Silvano notched victories in two German group II races and finished fifth in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) at Sha Tin in December. Silvano (Lomitas--Spirit of Eagles, by Beau's Eagle) has now won six of 13 career races. (Chart, Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Gestut Fahrhof's homebred 5-year-old Silvano held favored Jim and Tonic at bay in the stretch to earn a 1 3/4-length win in Sunday's Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I) at Sha Tin. Indigenous finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Jim and Tonic. Electronic Unicorn came home fourth. The winner completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.10 on good to yielding turf.Dalipour set the early pace before fading as Silvano rallied in the stretch."The pace felt quick and I had go wide on the last bend but when I asked him to quicken, he was unbelievable," said winning jockey Andreas Suborics.