Dunaden followed up on his Melbourne Cup triumph with another determined Group 1 victory in Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Dunaden (6h Nicobar – La Marlia by Kaldounevees) was the lone feature winner for the overseas invaders when he split runners in the straight to defeat Thumbs Up (NZ) and Silver Pond (Fr).

Hong Kong heroes Able One (Cape Cross), California Memory (Highest Honor) and Lucky Nine (Dubawi) kept the majority of prizemoney at home in the other international events.

The French stayer completed a winning hat-trick following wins in the G3 Geelong Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup.  He is trained by Mikel Delzangles for Pearl Bloodstock owner Sheikh Fahad al Thani of Qatar.  

“He’s pleased me all week and I thought I had the right horse for the race,” winning jockey Craig Williams said.  “He produced so much when I pulled him out and it was a courageous win.  I really love this horse.”

Dunaden is by little known French stallion Nicobar and remains his only black-type performer.

Nicobar (Indian Ridge) was trained by Andrew Balding and won 6 of his 22 starts including the G2 Masai Mile.  He stands for 1,000 euros service fee at Ecuries de la Daudaie which is situated south of Lyon.

Nicobar is steadily growing in popularity.  He had 5 foals in 2008, 3 in 2009, 12 in 2010 and 32 in 2011.

Purchased for a mere 1,500 euros by Meridien International at the 2006 Arqana December Sale, Dunaden is the only stakes winner within the first two generations of his family.