Written by Alan Carasso
In this ongoing series, we take a look at Australasian-bred horses down to make their initial starts in Hong Kong – horses either unraced (PPG-privately purchased griffins) or previously raced in Australia and New Zealand (PP-private purchases) – in addition to progressive horses returning from a spell.
The horses listed below have been selected based on notable pedigrees, sales history and/or previous racetrack performances. Sunday’s fixture at Sha Tin is dotted by any number of debutants, including a pair of 4-year-olds kicking off what connections hope could be the beginnings of a Classics campaign.
R2-Kate Tokyo Hcp. (C4), HK$967k (AU$178,482), 1000m
FLYING GENIUS
(g, 4, All Too Hard x Sacha Royale, by Fasliyev {USA})
A half-brother to G3 SA Fillies Classic winner and G1 Queensland Derby and G1 Schweppes Oaks third Ana Royale (Anacheeva), Flying Genius made $100,000 as an Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling and fetched the same amount at last year’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
Flying Genius (inside)
The October foal was produced by a winning half-sister to the stakes winning and Group placed Mrs Kipling (Exceed And Excel) and his third dam Twiglet (Twig Moss {Fr}) was responsible for dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}), his G1 Salinger S. winning half-brother Easy Rocking (Barathea {Ire}) and stakes winning and Group placed Crevette (Danehill {USA}). Joao Moreira rides for Tony Cruz.
Breeder: Rockmount (Vic)
Consignor: Vinery Stud (agent) (INGMAR) Hanover Lodge, agent (INGRTR)
Buyer: Upper Bloodstock (INGMAR) Scone Bloodstock/Gary Moore Racing (INGRTR)
MOON PEAKS
(g, 4, Choisir x Couredge, by Show A Heart)
Moon Peaks possesses one of the more active pedigrees in Hong Kong, as he is an own brother to Every Rose, who kicked off her career in spectacular fashion with a comfortable 1.25l victory in the G3 Keeneland Gimcrack S. at Randwick on October 5.
Moon Peaks as a yearling
A $150,000 weanling purchase from the 2016 Inglis Weanling Sale, the bay caught the eye of the Hong Kong Jockey Club team at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and was knocked down for $325,000. Re-offered at the 2019 Hong Kong International Sale this past March, he was purchased by Johnson Chen of Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) fame for HK$5.5 million (AU$989,209).
Breeder/Consignor: Davali Thoroughbreds, agent (INGMAY) , Newgate Farm, agent (MMGCYS)
Purchaser: Inglis Bloodstock, agent (INGMAY) , Hong Kong Jockey Club (MMGCYS)
LUCKY MORE
(ex Godot) (c, 3, More Than Ready {USA} x You Da One, by Fastnet Rock)
A $320,000 acquisition by Team Hawkes at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling Sale, racing in Australia as Godot, he won a pair of trials in Sydney over the winter before being exported to Hong Kong in July.
Lucky More as a yearling
Produced by a half-sister to Group 2 Embrace S. winner Always Allison (More Than Ready {USA}) and the multiple Group placed Kyria (Encosta de Lago), the September 1 foal hails from the immediate family of More Than Ready’s G1 Victoria Derby hero Benicio as well as multiple Group winner Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}).
Breeder: PJ Fleming (NSW)
Consignor: Vinery Stud, agent
Purchaser: Hawkes Racing
R4-Canmake Tokyo Hcp. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$267,633), 1200m
GENERAL’S DELIGHT
(ex Millard Reaction) (g, 4, Fastnet Rock x Miss Jakeo, by Unbridled’s Song {USA})
Trained in Australia by Toby Edmonds for an ownership group including Gerry Harvey and Aquis Farm, General’s Delight, known then as Millard Reaction, was a debut winner at Doomben in March and added a handicap success a little more than two weeks later before just missing in the Listed South Pacific Classic on April 13.
Purchased by Hong Kong interests for a reported $2 million, the half to G1 Oakleigh Plate heroine Mrs Onassis (General Nediym) and group winners Miss Judgement (Strategic), Aussies Love Sport (Redoute’s Choice) and Fifth Avenue Lady (Encosta de Lago) was a $220,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast graduate.
Breeder: G Harvey (NSW)
Consignor: Baramul Stud
Purchaser: Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
R10-Eleanor Hcp. (C2), HK$2.1m (AU$387,608), 1600m
ENJOYING
(ex Global Exchange) (g, 4, Dundeel {NZ} x Incredulous, by Keep the Faith)
Enjoying makes his Hong Kong debut off a lofty domestic rating of 87, having won four of seven starts in Australia for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, including the G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic this past February and the G2 Alister Clark S. the following month.
Enjoying as a yearling
A NZ$130,000 purchase out of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sales in 2017, Enjoying is out of a winning daughter of Group 3 winner Simply Believe (USA) (Kenmare {Fr}), and dam of Group winner Faith Hill (Danehill {USA}). He was first purchased in utero for $260,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale.
Breeder: China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Little Avondale Stud, agent
Purchaser: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock
