Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of Horsephotos
Japan
Son of Southern Speed wins Group 2
Showing modest form throughout most of his career, Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}) broke through with a convincing victory as a 33-1 outsider in Sunday's G2 Deep Impact Kinen (Japanese 2000 Guineas Trial) at Nakayama.
Cosmo Kuranda had enough in hand to hold the late charge of the royally bred Shin Emperor (Jpn) (Siyouni {Fr}) while Sirius Colt (Jpn) (Makfi {GB}) finished in third.
The colt is a member of Al Ain’s (Jpn) limited first crop of runners (51) and first stakes winner. Al Ain, a son of Deep Impact (Jpn), won the G1 Osaka Hai and the G1 Satsuki Sho.
Cosmo Kuranda’s dam likely would be well-known to Australian readers - Southern Speed (Southern Image {USA}). She won the G1 Caulfield Cup and the G2 Makybe Diva S. (now a Group 1).
Southern Speed is also from the family of the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and G1 Golden Slipper victress Ha Ha (Danehill {USA}). Cosmo Kuranda is her seventh foal and first stakes winner. Southern Speed has visited Danon Ballade (Jpn), a Group 2 winner, her past two seasons producing a colt and filly.
Southern Speed, winner of the 2011 G1 Caulfield Cup | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Hong Kong
Bargain buy continues on winning ways
It wasn’t the easiest watch for backers of John Size’s Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}) in Sunday’s Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin, but the 4-year-old gelding got the job done.
Helios Express, ridden by Hugh Bowman, defeated Chancheng Glory (USA) (Mor Spirit {USA}) in the last stride, while Ensued (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}) was a further 2.8l away.
The victory brought the son of Toronado’s (Ire) record to seven wins from nine starts, and only one success away from a clean sweep of the Hong Kong 4-Year-Old Classic Series.
The gelding was a $10,000 purchase by Emsleylodge from the 2020 Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale. Helios Express is the first and penultimate foal from the Hinchinbrook mare Paris Texas, she won three races.
Helios Express when offered through the Inglis Digital sale in 2020 | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital
Paris Texas is from the family of the G2 Brisbane Cup victor Chocante (NZ) (Shocking) and Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who won seven races and was crowned the Champion 4-Year-Old in Hong Kong.
Ardrossan lands first Hong Kong winner
Waikato Stud’s promising young stallion Ardrossan ticked a significant milestone on Sunday when his son Sky Heart (NZ) provided him with his first winner in Hong Kong.
The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Heart is his sire's first runner in the jurisdiction. He was placed in his first two starts before Sunday’s breakthrough.
Sky Heart, ridden by Blake Shinn, got the better off You’remyeverything (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Must Go (All Too Hard).
Sky Heart is from the Per Incanto (USA) mare Luroel (NZ). She is a half-sister to Hammer Down (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), a victor of six races, including the G3 Breeders’ S.
Ardrossan | Standing at Waikato Stud
The son of Ardrossan was a NZ$100,000 purchase by W Khan from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
