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Hillstar, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, wins the $1-million Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Sunday, Oct.19, 2014.Michael Burns/The Canadian Press

The anticipated duel between British-breds Brown Panther and Hillstar never materialized Sunday, making for a rather bizarre 77th running of the $1-million Pattison Canadian International.

Brown Panther, the early 2-1 favourite, provided the prerace drama that resulted in him being scratched moments before the start. Brown Panther bolted past the starting gate prior and kept running around the turf course, eventually dumping jockey Richard Kingscote, who was unhurt but banged his riding helmet against his leg in frustration as he walked back.

Brown Panther, co-owned by former England soccer star Michael Owen, also emerged unscathed. That was of some solace to Owen, who was at Woodbine Racetrack on Sunday.

"Long way to come for nothing!" Owens tweeted afterwards. "Thank goodness horse and jockey are both okay."

The race began after a brief delay and Hillstar, the 6-5 favourite, took the lead down the stretch and posted a three-quarters of a length win ahead of Big Blue Kitten in 2:29.0 on a good turf. Dynamic Sky, one of two Canadian-breds in the field, was third in a photo finish ahead of The Pizza Man.

The International win was the second straight for Moore, who captured last year's event aboard Joshua Tree.

Hillstar and Brown Panther were regarded as the class of the field and Moore was surprised not to have Brown Panther at the starting gate.

"He [Brown Panther] was on his toes and I thought was being a bit of a handful," Moore said. "Obviously after what happened my task was made a bit easier.

"The horse felt very relaxed, very comfortable all the way around. He had a big class edge over the whole field, it was just a matter being in a good spot and keeping it straight forward."

Brown Panther is the six-year-old son of '05 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Shirocco. He came into Sunday's race winning the Group 1 Irish St. Leger over 1 3/4 miles Sept. 14 at the Curragh at 14-1 odds.

Brown Panther had also beat Hillstar this year. He won the Grade 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 14, finishing 2 1/2-lengths ahead of second-place Hillstar.

"It's very disappointing," said Tom Dascombe, Brown Panther's trainer. "Well done to the winner. … It wasn't our day today."

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