Russian Emperor could only manage fifth on his quest for consecutive H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) victories in Qatar on Saturday, with trainer Douglas Whyte labelling his stable star “very brave” in defeat.

Settling at the rear of the field under Alberto Sanna, Russian Emperor was forced to sit and suffer when the eventual winner, Rebel’s Romance, hit the front in the opening stages and proceeded to take the field along at a sedate pace.

After he was urged forward by Sanna 400m from home, Russian Emperor failed to ever challenge the leader but ran on in the final furlong to pick up fifth place and US$100,000 prize money in the process.

“It was a very brave effort,” Whyte said. “The winner was gifted the race, and he’s probably one of the only horses who has made ground from near last. It was pace oriented and that was the downfall to our winning chances.”

Russian Emperor became Hong Kong’s first ever winner in Qatar in the US$2.5 million contest 12 months ago. While he could not retain his crown against his 10 rivals, Whyte was pleased with his galloper’s performance, noting a cut picked up on his right hind leg may have hindered his chances.

“The horse has run well and I’ll go back and see him now – I’m proud of him. He got cut into, I’m not sure whereabouts that happened but it’s a significant cut, so that will have hindered him a little bit,” Whyte said.

“He’s run well today and he looks to be back on form, so the [Group One] Champions & Chater Cup [2,400m] will be his go,” Whyte said. “It was a high beforehand and a bit of a low now but that’s racing for you in a nutshell.”

Japanese runners finished second, third and fourth in the contest. Zeffiro, who finished second in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) in December, filled the runner-up spot, while Santono Glanz finished third and North Bridge fourth.

Elsewhere on the card, Brave Emperor picked up the Local Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (1,600m), with connections confirming the four-year-old is set for a date with Golden Sixty in the Group One Champions Mile on April 28.