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. Wednesday’s action at the downtown circuit at Happy Valley features one of two Hong Kong-based runners by a one-time Hong Kong Classic Mile winner and a pair of first-starters by a pair of young guns at Newgate Stud.
R2-Shing Yip H. (2nd Div.) (C4), HK$967K (AU$180k), 1200m
Diamond Star (NZ)
(g, 4, Sweet Orange {USA} x Cadence {NZ}, by Rhythm {USA})
Fresh off a sweep of the weekend’s Group 1 tilts, jockey Joao Moreira and trainer John Size team up again with Diamond Star. The bay was under the care of Howie Mathews at Otaki around this time last year and took out a Foxton trial in March before being exported to Hong Kong in July.
Diamond King is half-brother to the former Size-conditioned two-time Hong Kong Group 3 winner Amazing Kids (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}), who raced as Cousin Colin in New Zealand, and is out of a half-sister to the Listed-placed So Explicit (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}), the dam of G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner and Australian Group 3 winner and G1 Australian Guineas third Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). Sweet Orange, a son of international standout War Front (USA), defeated future Hong Kong Derby winner Fay Fay (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) in the 2012 Classic Mile.
Breeder: Colyton Road Holdings Ltd
R3-Shing Yip H. (2nd Div.) (C4), HK$967K (AU$180k), 1200m
Flying Photos
(g, 3, Dissident x Ajamais {Fr}, by Gold Away {Ire})
Flying Photos was the second horse through the ring at the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale, hammering for $160,000, but was passed in when reserved for $100,000 at Easter the following autumn.
Flying Photos as a yearling
By his Newgate-based sire who has been represented by no fewer than 26 winners from his first crop to race, Flying Photos is out of a daughter of three-time French group winner Fabulous Hostess (USA) (Fabulous Dancer {USA}), the dam of French stakes winner Hostessante (USA) (Pleasant Colony {USA}); and the French Group 3-placed High Maintenance (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). The latter’s son Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) was a European and French champion and a Group 1 winner in France (Prix d’Ispahan), England (Queen Elizabeth S., Sussex S., Queen Anne S.) and Dubai (Dubai Turf).
Breeder: Hillside Parade Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd (Vic)
Consignor: Middlebrook Valley Lodge (INGWBS & INGEAS)
Purchaser: Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (INGWBS)
R5-Mut Wah H. (C4), HK$967K (AU$180K), 1000m
Sky Field
(g, 3, Deep Field x Laravissante {NZ}, by O’Reilly {NZ})
A NZ$175,000 graduate of the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sales, Sky Field was produced by a daughter of Mer du Sud (Ire) (Bluebird {USA}), the dam of 2006 G1 Hong Kong Mile hero The Duke (Danehill {USA}); and of the dams of Group 2 winner, and Group 1 placed, Keen Array (Bel Esprit) and stakes winner and Group 1 placed Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Sky Field as a yearling
The bald-faced chestnut, third in a 1000-metre barrier trial at Sha Tin on January 7, turned in his final fast work six days ago, galloping 400 metres in the presence of two stablemates in the very slick time of 44.8s (:22.9, :21.9). Vincent Ho has been aboard in the mornings and has the call from trainer Caspar Fownes.
Breeder: M Ryan (NSW)
Consignor: Trelawney Stud, agent
Purchaser: D Kwan
