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 Longines Hong Kong International Races take centre-stage Sunday afternoon, but as is often the case, some of the undercard races include horses that are liable to make an impact along the Classics trail over the next four months. The final race over 1600 metres features no fewer than a half-dozen Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and Southern Hemisphere 4-year-olds with such aspirations.
R10-Eishin Preston H. (C2), HK$2.1m (AU$392k), 1600m
SUPER OASIS (NZ) (ex Surely Sacred {NZ})
(g, 4, Rock ‘N’ Pop x Not Sure {NZ}, by Masterclass {USA})
Trained by Tony Pike in New Zealand for Raffles Racing, Super Oasis won half of his six appearances at home, including the G2 Auckland Guineas (1600 metres) and G2 Avondale Guineas (2100 metres). He made his final two overseas appearances in Australia, finishing a fine fourth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000 metres) in March ahead of a solid third in the G1 Australian Derby the following month.
Super Oasis as a yearling
An NZ$160,000 Karaka Yearling, Super Oasis will be ridden Sunday by Zac Purton, who was also in the saddle for a winning effort in a 1200-metre all-weather barrier trial on November 21 which has already produced a next-out winner in Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}). Prior to that, Super Oasis was a strong runner-up to G1 Hong Kong Sprint favourite Aethero (Sebring) down the 1000 metre straight.
Super Oasis is a half-brother to Group 3 Tasmanian Derby hero Betwixt (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), dam of Group 1 Queensland Oaks victress Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and is out of a winning half-sister to Group 1 November H. winner Taupo Retreat (NZ) (Centaine).
Breeder: Waikato Stud Ltd
Consignor: Waikato Stud, agent
Purchaser: Raffles Racing
AMAZING BEATS (ex Cossetot)
(g, 4, Epaulette x Ouchita, by Canny Lad)
Trainer Paul O’Sullivan is perhaps better known for his work with top-class sprinters such as dual G1 Hong Kong Sprint hero Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), but in the form of Amazing Beats he has a horse that will be looking to carry him along the Classics trail.
Amazing Beats (ex Cossetot) when trained by James Cummings
Formerly trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, the former Cossetot raided from his New South Wales base to take out the Listed Tasmanian Derby this past February before placing in the G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800 metres), G2 Alister Clark S. (2040 metres) and G2 Tulloch S. (2000 metres). The bay was 15th of 17 when last seen in the G1 Australian Derby (2400 metres) at Rosehill in April.
Amazing Beats, who finished second in a 1700 metres trial at Happy Valley in October, was runner-up to Classics hopeful Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) - whom he meets Sunday- in a 1600 metres heat at Sha Tin on November 19. Amazing Beats is a half-brother to reigning G1 Longines Golden Slipper S. victress Kiamichi (Sidestep) and is out of an unraced sister to G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Preserve - the dam of GSWs Safeguard (Exceed And Excel) and Archives (Helmet). His second dam also produced G1 Golden Rose S. hero and prominent sire Denman (Lonhro), sire of leading G1 Hong Kong Sprint hopeful Hot King Prawn.
Breeder: Darley (NSW)
