Written by Alan Carasso
In this continuing 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. Saturday’s program at Sha Tin has a number of Australasian-bred first-starters in a restricted handicap to open the card, while the afternoon’s featured Class 1 sees the return to action of Champion’s Way (Hinchinbrook)
R1-Panashop H. (C4--Restricted), HK$967,000 (AU$179,669), 1200m
APOLAR WARRIOR (ex Shine Tak Field)
(r, 3, Deep Field x Charlety Star, by Arena)
A $110,000 purchase out of the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, this November foal trialled no fewer than five times at 2-years-old for trainer John Sargent, finishing second at Randwick last April before going one better at Kembla Grange the following month.
Apolar Warrior as a yearling
A half-brother to dual Group 3 winner Najoom (Northern Meteor), Apolar Warrior is out of an unraced half-sister to stakes winner Upon This Rock (Fastnet Rock), multiple stakes winner Bhutane Dane (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and stakes winner Gaze On (Intergaze).
Second dam Joleur (Bite the Bullet {USA}) is an own sister to Mica’s Pride, dam of the globetrotting four-time Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring), G1 Doomben Cup hero Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) and Group winner Varenna Miss (Redoute’s Choice). Apolar Warrior was the winner of an 800 metre trial at Sha Tin October 15.
Breeder: G Watson (NSW)
Consignor: Segenhoe Stud Australia, agent
Purchaser: Bridle Bloodstock
KING DRAGON (NZ)
(g, 3, Savabeel x Miss Montjeu {NZ}, by Montjeu {Ire})
A half-brother to stakes winner and G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas runner-up Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), King Dragon was an NZ$80,000 purchase out of the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sales, then fetched NZ$200,000 after breezing 200 metres in a slick 10.48s at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
King Dragon (NZ) as a yearling
His Listed winning dam winning Miss Montjeu (NZ) (Monjeu {Ire}) is a daughter of Mer du Sud (Ire) (Bluebird {USA}), whose son The Duke (Danehill {USA}) caused a $15 upset in the 2006 G1 Hong Kong Mile after placing in the race each of the two years prior.
Breeder: Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan
Consignor: Cambridge Stud, agent (NZBJAN)
Phoenix Park, agent (NZBRTR)
Purchaser: Asian World Racing (NZBJAN)
Wallace Thoroughbreds (NZBRTR)
VICTORY MASTERY (ex Woolay)
(g, 3, Foxwedge x Parnissius, by Zabeel {NZ})
A half-brother to multiple Group 3-placed Sizzleme (Sizzling), Victory Mastery is a maternal grandson of Zafair (GB) (Zafonic {USA}), a sister to European Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Trade Fair (GB).
Victory Master as a yearling
A $50,000 purchase out of the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Victory Mastery has been stabled since September at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Conghua Training Centre and has showed steady improvement in three trials. Karis Teetan rides for perennial leading trainer John Size.
Breeder: Morning Rise Stud (Vic)
Consignor: Morning Rise Stud, agent
Purchaser: Price Bloodstock Management
R7-Panasonic Cup H. (C1), HK$2.8m (AU$519,811), 1400m
CHAMPION’S WAY
(g, 4, Hinchinbrook x Greta’s Yarn, by Redoute’s Choice)
Champion’s Way was a revelation during the 2018/19 season, rocketing through the grades with six wins from seven runs, capped by a defeat of much more seasoned rivals in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy H. (1600 metre), a rare feat for a 3-year-old.
In so doing, he stamped himself as the leading light for this year’s Classics and followed in the hoofprints of the late Rapper Dragon (Street Boss {USA}), who won the inaugural Lion Rock Trophy in 2016 before becoming the first in history to sweep the Classic series a handful of months later.
Champion's Way
Champion’s Way was named champion griffin and most improved horse in Hong Kong after finishing the campaign on a rating of 108.
A $150,000 purchase out of the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Champion’s Way is out of a half-sister to New Zealand stakes placed Royal Pericles (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and hails from the immediate female family of G1 Telegraph H. hero Signify (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) and Group 1 placed Sicario (NZ) (Bullbars). Joao Moreira has the call for John Size.
Breeder: G Bunt (NSW)
Consignor: Holbrook Thoroughbreds, agent
Purchaser: John Foote Bloodstock
