Written by Alan Carasso
In this new 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 action at Sha Tin features the Hong Kong debuts of seven-figure yearling and Australian Group 3 winner Stronger (Not A Single Doubt) and New Zealand Group 3 winner Whiskey Neat (Denman).
R1-Ashley H. (Restricted C4), HK$967k (AU$183k), 1400m
LEAP OF FAITH
(g, 3, Sebring x Steps In Time, by Danehill Dancer {Ire})
A $270,000 purchase out of the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Leap of Faith is the first foal to race from his dam, who defeated the likes of Sweet Idea (Snitzel) and Catkins (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 2014 G1 Coolmore Classic S. The gelding’s Group 2 winning second dam Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) was a half-sister to Group 1 winners Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) and Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale of the Cat {USA}).
Leap of Faith as a yearling
Joao Moreira takes the debut call for trainer John Size on Leap of Faith, who was the winner of a 1200 metre barrier trial over the all-weather track at the Conghua Training Centre on November 22.
Breeder: Mr N Hoar, James Jackson, Neil Hoar, Woodcock Bloodstock Services Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Kitchwin Hills, agent
Purchaser: John Foote Bloodstock
R3-Carnarvon H. (C4), HK$967k (AU$183k), 1200m
CALIFORNIA RAD
(g, 3, Fastnet Rock x Radharcnafarraige {Ire}, by Distorted Humor {USA})
Acquired on behalf of the Liang Family for $650,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, California Rad is a son of multiple Irish Group 3 winner Radharcnafarraige (Ire), who has already been responsible for Listed Inglis Nursery S. runner-up So Serene (Exceed And Excel). The mare is a half-sister to Japanese stakes winner Exhaust Note (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}) and to the stakes-winning dam of Rally Cry (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), himself a black-type winner and Grade I placegetter; and multiple Grade I-placed Alienation (USA) (Rock Hard Ten {USA}).
California Rad as a yearling
Breeder: Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Segenhoe Stud, agent
Purchaser: Asian Bloodstock Services
DESTINE JEWELLERY
(g, 4, I Am Invincible x Ailuros {NZ}, by One Cool Cat {USA})
Moreira and Size team up once again with Destine Jewellery, campaigned by Tung Moon Fai who has raced the likes of Hong Kong Classic Mile and Classic Cup hero Sun Jewellery (Snitzel).
Destine Jewellery as a yearling
A $250,000 graduate of the 2017 Inglis Easter Sale, the brown gelding is out of a winning daughter of treble Group 2-placed Ana Zeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), whose foal of 2003, Estelle Collection (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) produced 2014 Australian Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice) and 2018 G3 Maribyrnong Plate runner-up Art Collection (Fastnet Rock).
Breeder: G S A Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Vic)
Consignor: Bhima Thoroughbreds, agent
Purchaser: McKeever/Ferguson
R7-Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$274k), 1000m
STRONGER
(c, 3, Not A Single Doubt x Star Pupil, by Starcraft {NZ})
A $1.05 million graduate of the 2018 Inglis Easter Sale, Stronger made seven appearances in Australia for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and an ownership group that included James Harron, capping that portion of his career with a narrow victory in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic S. at the Gold Coast this past May.
Stronger as a yearling
Blake Shinn was in the boot on that occasion and gets the call up on the 3-year-old entire, a half-brother to the Listed-placed Tiger Silk (All American) and out of a half-sister to Singapore Horse of the Year Stepitup (Hussonet {USA}) and Group 3 winner Bachman (All American); and a full sister to multiple stakes winner Ain’tnofallenstar. Cheek pieces will be applied for the first time Sunday.
Breeder: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred (NSW)
Consignor: Arrowfield Stud, agent
Purchaser: James Harron Bloodstock
WHISKEY NEAT
(g, 3, Denman x Ouija, by Viscount)
Produced by a winning half-sister to Group 2 winners Sessions (Lonhro) and Renaissance (Lonhro) and to stakes winner and Group-placed Haunted (Lonhro), Whiskey Neat won his first two outings in New Zealand for trainer Tony Pike, including the G3 Eclipse S. last New Year’s Day.
Whiskey Neat as a yearling
Purchased in utero for $70,000 from the Godolphin consignment at the 2016 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, Whiskey Neat fetched $72,500 as a weanling at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale and improved into a NZ$220,000 yearling at New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Yearling Sale a handful of months later. Alberto Sanna rides for trainer Caspar Fownes.
Breeder: Mr A Williams (NSW)
Consignor: Newgate Farm, agent (MGLMAY); Koru Thoroughbreds, agent (NZBJAN)
Purchaser: Koru Thoroughbreds (MGLMAY); Waikato Bloodstock (NZBJAN)
