Ridden brilliantly by Hugh Bowman, Invincible Sage  stalked pace-setters Victor The Winner and California Spangle before bursting clear to win by one and a half lengths in 1m 09.33s to give Hall his most important Hong Kong success since Absolute Champion's Centenary Sprint Cup win 16 years ago.

California Spangle, who appeared not to relish the yielding track and struggled for rhythm when pressured early by Mad Cool, finished second with Mugen third. Hall's other runner, Flying Ace, charged into fourth on a memorable day for the trainer.

"It's been a long time between drinks, of course. As everybody says, this is what you get out of bed for in the mornings. It's been a bit of a drought for us at the top level so this is certainly a very satisfying win," Hall said.

 Hall said he didn't know how much the soft ground had advantaged Invincible Sage.

"It's hard to judge that," he said. "Until we see him do that on a firm deck, I don't know.

"But he has been progressive and he is just one of those horses where you are still defining where you think he is at.

"He is only a little horse and you don't sort of dream that high. He has done it progressively and got the conditions to suit him again today. It was an easy watch."

The four-year-old had three consecutive victories as a two-year-old in Australia, as well as two minor placings, when he raced as Thron Bone before joining Hall as a syndicate horse.

All the three Australian wins were on soft tracks and with the Sha Tin track rated as yielding after more than 250mm through the week, Hall went into the race with confidence.

With the reinvented Hong Kong sprinter California Spangle  aiming for his third consecutive Group One win, trainer Tony Cruz was hoping for a firm track.

As expected, highly-fancied California Spangle and Victor The Winner both vied for the early lead, while Invincible Sage sat off the pair before drawing away for an easy victory.

Mugen trainer's Pierre Ng could now aim the sprinter for the G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in September.

Japanese raider Mad Cool, which won the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) on a rain sodden Chukyo Racecourse in Japan at his last start failed to run on after placing pressure on the early leaders.

Invincible Sage showed his talent when second last start to Lucky Sweynesse in the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m).

 Winning rider Hugh Bowman was full of praise for Invincible Sage, labelling the gelding has as top-class.

"I think a rain-affected track may have assisted his performance but even on a dry I think we would have seen a winning performance today," he said.

"I am so proud of him and he has just settled in beautifully since arriving in Hong Kong. I had a bit of success with him last season and I have enjoyed watching him progress through the grades.

"Since Christine and I and the kids arrived mid-way through last season, he (Daivd Hall) has been a stellar support the entire time.

"It means a great deal to ride this winner for David and the entire team."

Bowman said he was proud of Invincible Sage and described him as the quintessential Hong Kong sprinter.

"He has come here and he has adapted to the lifestyle," he said. "He has put on weight and looks magnificent and it's just an absolute pleasure to be part of it."

Chairman's Sprint Prize - Post-race jockey quotes

INVINCIBLE SAGE - Hugh Bowman

He is up to top class now. I think a rain-affected track may have assisted his performance, but even on a dry track I think we would have seen a winning performance today.

CALIFORNIA SPANGLE - Brenton Avdulla

He ran terrific. We got driven hard by the Japanese horse and then Derek grabbed me.

 MUGEN - Blake Shinn

He was super. First time in a Group 1, a bit of a rise in class, but he's a lovely horse and he was a pleasure to ride.

FLYING ACE - Zac Purton

He ran well, it was a good effort.

HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE - James McDonald

It was a really good run.

LUCKY WITH YOU - Andrea Atzeni

He ran well for a long way, he just doesn't like the wet track.

VICTOR THE WINNER - Derek Leung

We got taken on at the start.

LITTLE BROSE - Karis Teetan

He ran okay. He's inexperienced but I think he'll be okay next season in Hong Kong.

BELIEVING - Harry Bentley

She was slightly slow away and then just couldn't get going on the ground. She was never really comfortable.

SUNRISE RONALDO - Damian Lane

The pace was too fast for him.

MAD COOL - Ryusei Sakai

He didn't respond well at the final turn and didn't run his race.