The margin of just a short head was enough to ensure career best wins for horse and trainer after Michael Chang's Rich Tapestry scored in a thrilling finish to the HKG2 Sprint Cup at Sha Tin today, Sunday 28 April.

The five-year-old gelding, given the run of the race - stalking the leaders - by Olivier Doleuze, gradually wore down the front-runner Go Baby Go to gain the photo verdict with Time After Time a length further back in third place.

Fancied runners Lucky Nine (7th) and Frederick Engels (8th) failed after settling back in a race which, soon after settling down, looked likely to be dominated by the on-pace runners. Stewards reported after the race Lucky Nine was found to have a substantial amount of blood in the trachea, while Frederick Engels was lame in the right fore leg.

"This is his best win. Very good to beat some of the best sprinters in Hong Kong," said Chang who, earlier this season, claimed his first Group race success when Vital Flyer won the HKG3 Sha Tin Sprint Trophy last October. Vital Flyer was 10th behind Rich Tapestry in the Sprint Cup.

Chang said that Rich Tapestry was now likely to be given a break and prepared for next season when he would contemplate competing overseas with him. “No plans are locked in yet because I will talk to the owners first but I would be tempted to take him to Dubai," he said.

Jockey Doleuze said this could be a good option for the horse. “It was great to see him win today. Maybe he's a fraction below the very best sprinters but he had his chance today and took it with the race panning out perfectly for him.

"I think this might be his last race for the season and going to Dubai would not be a bad plan as he is a one class better horse on the dirt," Doleuze said of the now Group 2 winning galloper. Rich Tapestry previous best win was in a Class 1 in January.