Johannesburg — SA further enhanced its reputation as a serious racing nation when a horse with strong local connections, Irridescence, scored a gallant win in yesterday's HK$14m QE2 Cup at Sha-Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.

Despite his running unplaced in last year's Vodacom July, Mike de Kock has always rated Irridescence as a top-class performer and his opinion was fully vindicated yesterday.

Irridescence runs in the colours of American syndicate Team Valor, and this was another red-letter day for owner Barry Irwin, who is a big supporter of South African racing.

One of Irridescence's rivals yesterday was the highly regarded British-born filly, Ouija Board.

But jockey Frankie Dettori had his mount a long way off the pace as jockey Weichong Marwing dictated affairs up front.

It was the New Zealand-bred gelding Best Gift, who emerged as the big danger in the drive to the wire, but Marwing kept his mount up to her work for a famous win with Dettori finishing too late into third on Ouija Board.

"This is a splendid result for South African racing and congratulations to Weichong for the ride of the year," said champion trainer Geoff Woodruff at Turffontein yesterday.

After partnering the favourite, Apple-a-Day, to victory in the third race, jockey Brett Smith said: "The Hong Kong result emphasised that this country continues to produce world-class riders and Weichong was supreme in the finish today."

The timing of Irridescence's victory in the big race could not have been better, with the Emperors Palace national yearling sales due to commence at the TBA complex at Gosforth Park, Germiston, on Friday.

Although overseas buyers have been few and far between in recent years, this latest overseas win provides more ammunition for those who believe that the South African bloodstock market offers excellent value for money.

De Kock will be over the moon with Irridescence's win, and he has a big chance of capturing another rich prize next Saturday, when Ilha da Vitoria and Candy Critic do duty for his stable in the R3m Gommagomma Challenge at Turffontein.