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. Sunday’s live program at Sha Tin is highlighted by the Jockey Club trials for the December 8 Longines Hong Kong International races over 1200 metres, 1600 metres and 2000 metres.
The G2 Jockey Club Sprint has drawn an overflow field with several top-class resuming runners including Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook), Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel), Hot King Prawn (Denman) and D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). One entrant is perfect in Hong Kong and makes his second start of the season in the Sprint.
R1-Morse Park H. (C4), HK$967k (AU$181,302), 1200m
INVALUABLE (NZ)
(g, 3, Ocean Park {NZ} x Danex {NZ}, by Danasinga)
Invaluable is the latest foal from a Group 2-placed dam who has produced eight winners from nine to race, four of which are black-type earners, including his full-brother Oceanex (NZ), who caused an $18 upset in the G2 TAB Matriarch S. at Flemington November 9.
Invaluable (NZ) as a yearling
The October foal is also kin to stakes winner Amexed (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and the group-placed duo of Digital Fortress (NZ) (Savabeel) and Marcellina (NZ) (Savabeel). Danex is a half-sister to the dam of G1 Railway S. hero Ryan Mark (NZ) (Thorn Park).
A NZ$210,000 purchase at Karaka in 2018, Invaluable most recently trialled against the likes of G2 Jockey Club Sprint hopeful Aethero (Sebring) up the 1000-metre straight on November 5, closing off generously to finish fifth after racing near the tail of the field. Alexis Badel rides for trainer Richard Gibson.
Breeder: T V Rider
Consignor: Milan Park, agent
Purchaser: Bruce Perry Bloodstock
SIMPLY SPECTACULAR
(g, 4, I Am Invincible x Speedy Bell, by Brocco {USA})
A half-brother to treble group winner Silverstream (Al Maher), the latter’s Group 3-winning full-sister Speedy Natalie - the dam of stakes winner Sweet and Speedy (Street Cry {Ire}) - and stakes winner and Group placed Calanda (Snitzel), Simply Spectacular is out of a listed-winning half-sister to stakes winner Whoever (Redoute’s Choice) and the stakes-placed pair Stratford (Stratum) and Superforce (Mukaddamah {USA}).
Simply Spectacular as a yearling
Purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $320,000 at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, the October 30 foal was offered at the Hong Kong International Sale last March and was knocked down for HK$3.9 million (AU$701,439). He was off slowly in an October 15 trial over the all-weather, but made good ground late to be third to Hong Kong’s best dirt horse Elusive State (All American) despite racing on his incorrect lead. Zac Purton sees fit to take the call for trainer David Hall.
Breeder: A D Mitchell & E & J Rea (NSW)
Consignor: Yarraman Park Stud, agent
Purchaser: Hong Kong Jockey Club
R3-Hong Kong Park H. (C3), HK$967k (AU$181,302), 1200m
BLOTTING PAPER (ex Delvecchio)
(g, 4, Uncle Mo {USA} x Redtruth, by Testa Rossa)
Bought for $60,000 out of the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Blotting Paper fetched $90,000 from Kennewell Racing at that year’s Gold Coast 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The brown gelding was the easy winner of his first two starts at Werribee and Cranbourne last December before finishing a first-up third at Sandown in April and a close fourth at Caulfield the following month.
Blotting Paper as a 2-year-old
Just the second Hong Kong runner for his successful sire, Simply Spectacular moved extremely well in an October 18 trial over the Sha Tin 1000 metres and was timed in a slick :44.8 (:22.8, :22) for an 800 metre gallop on November 11.
Breeder: G Harvey (NSW)
Consignor: Baramul Stud, agent (MMGCYS & INGRTR)
Purchaser: Kennewell Racing (INGRTR)
R8-Jockey Club Sprint-G2, HK$4.25m (AU$796,280), 1200m
REGENCY LEGEND (NZ) (ex Espumoso {NZ})
(g, 4, Pins x Sparkling {NZ}, by O’Reilly {NZ})
Having arrived in Hong Kong about this time last year with a runner-up effort in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. under his belt in New Zealand, Regency Legend made a smashing appearance on international day last December, scoring as a $15 chance. He is perfect in three local runs since, including a smooth defeat of subsequent G2 Premier Bowl H. hero Seasons Bloom (Captain Sonador) in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup H. opening day on September 1.
Regency Legacy (NZ)
A NZ$50,000 graduate of the 2017 Karaka sales, Regency Legend is out of a sister to New Zealand Group 2-placed Irish Nova, dam of NZ champion sprinter and Group 1 winner Sacred Star (Flying Spur). His further female family includes Group 1 winners Embellish (NZ) (Savabeel) and Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel).
Breeder: Waikato Stud Ltd
Consignor: Waikato Stud, agent
Purchaser: Pamsel Investments
