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In one of the most riveting finishes seen this year, odds-on favourite Zac Spirit got the upperhand of Holy Empire in a stirring two-horse joust to land the $200,000 Group 3 Three Rings Trophy (1400m) on Sunday.

Jockey Manoel Nunes aboard Holy Empire looked to have outsmarted his five rivals when they came off cheap sectionals to pinch a two-length break at the top of the straight, but jockey Alan Munro had other ideas as he angled Zac Spirit out for his run rounding the home turn.

The Flying Spur four-year-old stuck to the task well as he pinned his ears back and drew level with Holy Empire at the 200m mark. But Nunes still had some petrol left in the Michael Freedman-trained Holy Empire who was not ready to throw in the towel on the rails.

The duelling pair of four-year-olds went hammer and tongs inside the last 100m with both jockeys and gallopers at the height of their game and giving each other no quarters for the kind of spectacle that makes the price of the admission ticket worth every cent.

But the 2.5kgs in favour of Zac Spirit ($9) probably settled the race in the end. Holy Empire only buckled in the shadows of the post, allowing Zac Spirit to dive late and stick his neck in front right on the line.

Goodman (Corey Brown), Laurie Laxon’s quality three-year-old lost no admirers as he did lurk right behind his two older rivals for a while, but despite his industrious effort, had to settle for third another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 23.87secs.

While the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge leading up to the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m), and even the KrisFlyer International Sprint had been thrown in the mix by most pundits for Zac Spirit, Brown was as usual keeping his cards close to his chest, going against the grain with a less talked-up target.

“He won’t race until the 4th of April. The Kranji Sprint is his next race,” said the astute Australian handler.

The Group 3 race over 1200m on turf is the second Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, an indication that Brown is sticking with the shorter trips for now, despite the general impression that Zac Spirit may be looking for more ground.

But the 4YO series still remains firmly in his sights. After the Three Rings Trophy success, Brown was almost apologetic when he said that Zac Spirit was not at his peak fitness, an inference he was being targeted at the bigger riches in June-July.

“I’m very proud of him. The second horse (Holy Empire) is a very good horse and both were very gallant,” he said.

“But I feel it’s still my fault he came into this race underdone as there is still a long way to go.

“It just depends on how things will pan out for him. He is racing like he may want a bit further, but the Kranji Sprint is where is going.

“I’ve always felt he just needs a 1200m when the pace is really on. He just switches off better then and then he just sprints home.

“Today over 1400m, he was not so relaxed. It didn’t help they stacked up the speed in front, and I was a bit concerned how he would go in the last bit.

“But Alan rode him well. He made the right move by pushing out three wide before the home turn.”

Munro certainly made full use of his inside knowledge of Holy Empire, whom he partnered at all his four wins, to wear down his main rival in the home stretch.

“Holy Empire kicked first, but my horse went to him easy,” said the British jockey.

“The two horses fought out the finish and my horse just got the better in the end. They were cantering in front, but when he came out, he really put the sprint on.”

Zac Spirit, who has finally claimed his first Group win after several placings, including a third place to Cash Luck in the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1800m) last year, has now recorded six wins and three placings from 10 starts for stakes earnings past the $450,000 mark for the Zac Stable.