Eziyra fared best of the European contingent as she finished third behind Exultant in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
No less than eight runners from Britain, Ireland and France went to post in the 12-furlong contest with Andre Fabre's Waldgeist and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mirage Dancer among the leading contenders.
The early gallop was set by Crocosmia and turning for home, Eziyra appeared to be perfectly positioned under Christophe Lemaire as Rostropovich briefly tried to challenge down the outside of the track.
However, it turned into a head-to-head between the Tony Cruz-trained Exultant and Lys Gracieux, with the first named prevailing in a tight finish in the hands of Zac Purton.
Exultant wins the Hong Kong Vase for Tony Cruz and Zac Purton with plenty of disappointing runs from the Europeans in behind #HKIR pic.twitter.com/KfDaedPoGU
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 9, 2018
Exultant previously raced as Irishcorrespondent for Michael Halford in Ireland, finishing third in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas, before being sold to continue his career in Hong Kong.
While he was placed in Group One company earlier in the year, this is the Teofilo gelding's first victory at the highest level.
Cruz said: "This season he is a much stronger and better horse and has more experience. Obviously it was the perfectly run race for him and Zac rode the perfect race."
