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.
The 4YO Classics series continues Sunday afternoon in the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800 metres and some interesting newcomers feature on the undercard.
R2-Sun Chui H. (C4), HK$967k (AU$187k), 1400m
Natural Storm (NZ)
(g, 3, Pins x Miracle Miss {NZ}, by O’Reilly {NZ})
The fourth foal to the races for his Group 3-placed dam, Natural Storm is an own brother to Maritimo (NZ), a Listed winner and dual Group 3-placed galloper in her own right that was sold on for $575,000 in foal to Tavistock (NZ) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2017.
Natural Storm, produced by a full sister to MGSW and G1 Captain Cook S. third Dating (NZ), cost Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu some NZ$420,000 as a yearling at the 2018 Karaka Sales. By the sire of Hong Kong legends Aerovelocity (NZ) and Ambitious Dragon (NZ), Natural Storm was the winner of an all-weather barrier trial at the Conghua Training Centre January 30.
Breeder: Waikato Stud Ltd.
Consignor: Waikato Stud, agent
Purchaser: Ricky Yiu
R3-Shui Chuen O H. (C4), HK$967k (AU$187k), 1200m
Evan Almighty
(g, 3, Kuroshio x Miss Evangeline, by Success Express {USA})
Evan Almighty cost just $28,000 at the 2018 Inglis Melbourne Premiere, but has some pedigree appeal, as his dam is a winning half-sister to the legendary Apache Cat (Lion Cavern {USA}). The champion sprinter of 2008 won eight Group 1 races in total, including a defeat of Darci Brahma (NZ) in the 2006 G1 Cadbury Guineas and a trio of top-level scores in Brisbane. He was also third, beaten two necks, in the 2009 G1 Hong Kong Sprint.
Evan Almighty as a yearling
Breeder: P F Radford (Vic)
Consignor: Bombora Downs, agent
Purchaser: Eden Racing
R5-Lung Hang H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$281k), 1200m
Grateful Heart (ex Soul Soldier)
(c, 3, Written Tycoon x Show Affection, by Show A Heart)
A $625,000 graduate of the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, Queensland-bred Graceful Heart was turned over to Peter and Paul Snowden, finishing a debut third at Kembla Grange last May, winning a maiden handicap at Gosford 12 days later and concluding his Australian career with a 2.3l victory in a Class 1 handicap at Wyong in September.
The mount of the in-form Grant van Niekerk, Grateful Heart should have his fair share of supporters Sunday afternoon on the strength of smart barrier trial scores at Happy Valley late last month and in a 1000 metre jump-out down the Sha Tin straight February 4.
Grateful Heart as a yearling
Breeder: Glenlogan Park Pty Ltd (Qld)
Consignor: Glenlogan Park, agent
Purchaser: China Horse Club/Newgate/WinStar
