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.
R7-Queen’s Road East H. (C4) ($967k) (AU$184k), 1200m
Californiadeepshot
(g, 3, Deep Field x Vormista, by Testa Rossa)
Passed in for $180,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale and purchased by Marie Yoshida’s Asian Bloodstock Services for $260,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2018, Californiadeepshot is a son of Group 3 winner and treble Group 1-placed Vormista, also the dam of Reemah (Redoute’s Choice), second as a $101 chance in the 2015 G1 Blue Diamond S.
Deep Field, sire of Californiadeepshot
Perfect in two starts at Kembla Grange when under the care of Peter and Paul Snowden, the chestnut has been impressive in his morning work, winning his last three barrier trials, including a course-and-distance hitout on January 18. A victory in an all-weather trial over 1050 metres at Sha Tin on January 10 came at the expense of Wellington (All Too Hard), a debut winner in the New Territories on January 27. Californiadeepshot figures tough if able to run to those trials, but Karis Teetan will have to work out a trip from gate 12 of 12 Wednesday evening.
Breeder: Emmaroo Bloodstock Pty Ltd (NSW)
Consignor: Coolmore Australia, agent (MGLMAY); Coolmore Stud, agent (INGEAS)
Purchaser: Asian Bloodstock Services
R9-Tin Lok H. (C2), HK$2.1m (AU$400k), 1650m
Hello Daddy (NZ) (ex Sponge Bob {NZ})
(g, 4, Keeper x Chihenne, by Castledale {Ire})
Trained in New Zealand by Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker, the former Sponge Bob won his maiden at third asking at Te Rapa and returned on 20 days’ rest to upend the 2019 G2 Waikato Guineas as a $35 gamble.
Hello Daddy is the lone runner and winner from his dam, a daughter of Star Touch (NZ) (Vice Regal {NZ}), a full sister to G1 Avondale Cup winner Eva Grace (NZ). His trials have suggested there is some ability there and Alexis Badel should be able to sit a decent trip from barrier three.
Breeder: C M Gray & Ms C Wilkinson
