Lucky Nine lifted the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on Sunday as a strong British and Irish raiding party failed to make the anticipated impact.
Roger Charlton's Bated Breath was on the lead early from his wide draw, and was still in the firing line two furlongs from home but eventually finished eighth as the Brett Prebble-ridden Lucky Nine, Entrapment and Joy And Fun fought out a titanic tussle.
Prebble lifted his partner to a thrilling victory but the judge was unable to split Entrapment and Joy And Fun, with Little Bridge fourth.
The James Fanshawe-trained Royal Ascot winner Society Rock missed the break and was 13th of the 14 runners, while Eddie Lynam's Sole Power was ninth.
Draw Woe
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Bated Breath's owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "He showed a great deal of speed to get where he did from his draw, but it was too much to sustain it.
"But he's a charming horse and there's much to look forward to with him next year."
His rider Steve Drowne said: "We had to go round horses and he did well to get as close as he did, but it was too much for him in the last 200 yards."
Fanshaw said of Society Rock: "He missed the kick and could never get into it after that. He'll have a holiday but will be back next year."