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 program at Sha Tin features a trio of expensive Inglis Easter Yearling purchases getting their respective Hong Kong careers underway.
R1 - Lukfook Jewellery Stellar & Stellar Collection H. (C4), HK$967K (AU$180k), 1000m
Sparkling Life (NZ)
(g, 3, Swiss Ace x Suppose {USA}, by Danehill {USA})
A half-brother to the Listed-placed El Toranado (Encosta de Lago), this October 1 foal is out of an unplaced daughter of Group 1 winner Sophisticat (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}), whose legendary dam Serena’s Song (USA) (Rahy {USA}) was an 11-time Grade I winner in her American career and the country’s champion 3-year-old filly of 1995.
Watch: Sparkling Life (NZ) breezing for the RTR sale
A NZ$45,000 Karaka yearling, Sparkling Life was purchased by Hong Kong trainer Me Tsui Yu-Sak for NZ$180,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale some 10 months later. The bay turned in a promising trial at Sha Tin on December 10, finishing a close eighth over 800 metres while never asked to extend.
Breeder: G Harvey
Consignor: Westbury Stud, agent (NZBJAN); Kiltannon Stables, agent (NZBRTR)
Purchaser: C L Chan (NZBJAN); M E Tsui (NZBRTR)
R3-Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection H. (C4), HK$967K (AU$180k), 1200m (AWT)
Circuit Five
(g, 3, Fastnet Rock x O’Marilyn, by O’Reilly {NZ})
The $1.8 million second highest-priced purchase out of the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Circuit Five is the first foal from his dam, who validated $2.60 favouritism to win the 2014 G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. O’Marilyn’s half-brother Headturner (Anabaa {USA}) was victorious in the 2006 G1 AJC Australian Derby, while the latter’s brother Anacheeva took out the G1 Caulfield Guineas in 2010.
Circuit Five as a yearling
The lack of a big-name jockey and the fact that he debuts on the all-weather raises some questions, but trainer John Moore topped his charge off with a solid turf hit-out this past Thursday in which he covered his final 400 metres in 24.5s. Circuit Five was imported as a colt, but was gelded in late September.
Breeder: Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Kia Ora Stud, agent
Purchaser: George Moore Bloodstock
R9-Lukfook Jewellery PT Collection H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$270k), 1200m
Computer Patch (ex Sun Patch)
(r, Exceed And Excel x Girl Hussler, by Hussonet {USA})
An $800,000 Easter yearling acquisition, Computer Patch won his Kensington debut for Ron Quinton this past February, then was fifth of six, but not beaten far, in the G2 Skyline S. He failed to land a blow when eighth in a Rosehill handicap on June 1.
Computer Patch as a yearling
Computer Patch’s stakes winning and Group 3 placed dam is also responsible for G1 C F Orr S. hero Manuel (Commands); Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Taking Aim (Choisir) and Computer Patch’s Group 3 placed full sister Witherspoon, a winner at Kensington on December 6.
Computer Patch, who debuts off a mark of 74, has trialled well on the turf and on the all-weather locally. Silvestre de Sousa is engaged.
Breeder: Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Segenhoe Stud Australia, agent
Purchaser: George Moore Bloodstock
Green Reign
(g, 4, Lope de Vega {Ire} x Zarzuela {Ire}, by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire})
Campaigned in Australia by Willie Leung’s Magus Equine and trained by Matthew Dunn, Green Reign graduated at first asking at Ipswich last December, resumed with a fourth in a Rosehill handicap on May 18 and scooped a Class 1 handicap at Gosford 12 days later.
Green Reign as a yearling
Purchased by Magus Equine for $260,000 at the 2017 Easter sale, the bay is a half-brother to the stakes placed Zarpoya (Sepoy) and his unraced dam is a half-sister to 2011 G1 Mackinnon S. hero Glass Harmonium (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) as well as multiple English Group 3 winner Arab Spring (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). His third dam produced G1 English St Leger and GI Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Conduit (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}).
Breeder: Woodside Park Stud Pty Ltd (Vic)
Consignor: Woodside Park Stud, agent
Purchaser: Magus Equine
