Japan confirmed her position as one of the leading racing countries in the world by dramatically capturing all three Group One races at the Hong Kong International meeting at Sha Tin racecourse yesterday.

On a day of thrilling finishes which had the huge 70,000 crowd on their toes, the Japanese representatives covered themselves in glory, with Agnes Digital completing a clean sweep at the top level by denying Godolphin's Tobougg by a head in the $1million Hong Kong Cup. The Ballydoyle representative, Bach, finished last.

Frankie Dettori attempted to make every yard of the 10-furlong trip on Tobougg but the pair were headed by the winner around the furlong pole and, although the Italian got one final surge from his mount near the line, they had to settle for the runner-up spot by a head in a dramatic finish.

Winning trainer Toshiaki Shirari has big plans for Agnes Digital.

"Our next race, if we are invited, will be the 2002 Dubai World Cup, I think," he said. "After that, we would like to run in either the Breeders' Cup Turf or the Breeders' Cup Classic in America.

"This has been a very special week for me. I think that from this point onward you will see many more Japanese horses competing in the international races."

Japan's successful day began in the Hong Kong Vase with Stay Gold reeling in the Dettori-ridden Ekraar by a head.

The least fancied of the Japanese runners took the Hong Kong Mile. Eishin Preston proved far superior to his rivals to land the race by three and a quarter lengths from local hero Electric Unicorn,.

The Group Two Hong Kong Sprint proved a repeat of last year's event, with Australia's Falvelon getting the better of Morluc by a short head.