Tommy Berry's latest big race win in the Hong Kong Classic Cup has earned him praise from rival Joao Moreira who finished runner-up on the favourite.

Berry guided the John Moore-trained Designs On Rome to a thrilling win in Sunday's 1800m local Group One feature at Sha Tin over stablemate Able Friend.

Berry produced a tactically-brilliant ride, electing to track Moreira and Able Friend in the first half of the race before making a quick move at the 600m mark which flushed Moreira out.

It proved decisive as Designs On Rome wore down Able Friend and drew away late in the race.

"That was a magnificent ride by Tommy," Moreira told the South China Morning Post.

"When he came around, I just had no choice but to go with him and the way things worked out, he was too strong."

But Moreira is looking forward to a rematch in the Hong Kong Derby.

"He forced me to come out and do things his way today but there's always another race. I wouldn't swap my ride for the Derby," Moreira said.

Designs On Rome's victory on Sunday added to Berry's string of Group One wins, both in Australia and abroad, over the past two seasons.

Berry knew his best chance on Sunday was to force Able Friend make a long run and it paid off.

"I got on my bike a bit early and made Joao press the button a bit early, which definitely won us the race," Berry said.

Berry enjoyed a successful Hong Kong stint last year and will take up another three-month contract after the Sydney autumn carnival.

Moreira has made a spectacular start to his Hong Kong career after dominating in Singapore for the past few seasons.