Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Manfred Man’s 700th win highlights Starspangledbanner double
Trainer Manfred Man notched up win number 700 when Ruby Sailing (Starspangedbanner) won at Sha Tin on Saturday night. “I feel happy, of course, because this horse finds it difficult to win after having two operations on his throat because he is a roarer,” Man told hkjc.com.au.
Man becomes the eighth trainer to achieve more than 700 wins in Hong Kong following John Size (1614), Tony Cruz (1573), Caspar Fownes (1173), Ricky Yiu (1068), Francis Lui (986), Danny Shum (879), and Dennis Yip (878).
The victory was the second for Ruby Sailing, who won his first race in June this year. Placed in his first three starts in 2023, he mixed his form finally breaking through for his first win at start number 20. Saturday’s victory takes him to two wins from 23 starts with earnings over HK$2.6 million (AU$505,000).
Originally sold by Rosemont Stud for $60,000 to Bridie Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, he was pinhooked into the KBL Bloodstock draft at the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale where Man purchased him for $340,000.
Starspangledbanner sired a double at the meeting with Me Tsui-trained Wonderstar who took his record to seven wins from 35 starts. It was his second win in Hong Kong, having previously been a winner in Australia as well as winning four races in Macau.
Treble for jockey Ferraris
Jockey Luke Ferraris won the first races on the card to achieve his third career treble in Hong Kong. He won aboard Yoda’s Choice (Good Journey), Decrelot (NZ) (War Decree {USA}), and Precision Goal (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
“Decrelot hasn’t been the easiest horse, he put it all together today but there’s been a lot of times where he hasn’t and, hopefully, he can go on from here,” Ferraris said.
“Yoda’s Choice is a typical dirt horse who likes to go to the front and he’s most effective when he can cruise along without any pressure and go through his gears.”
David Hayes-trained Precision Goal is unbeaten in both his starts this season, and has a record of six wins from 35 starts with all his racing in Hong Kong. Purchased for a bargain NZ$6610 at a Gavelhouse online auction as a weanling by Junhui Wu, he placed in a trial in New Zealand before being exported to Hong Kong where he has earnings over HK$5.1 million (AU$992,000).
Precision Goal | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Precision Goal is a lovely horse – he’s been such a soldier. David Hayes does such a phenomenal job with these older gallopers and it’s quite an art with these old campaigners to keep them happy and winning, which David has.
“Credit to David and his team. I think I’ve won four races on Precision Goal now and it’s a lovely way to start the day with three wins.”
Newnham’s trifecta keeps him on top
Trainer Mark Newnham leads the Hong Kong Trainer’s Premiership with nine wins, and achieved his first ever trifecta in the region on Saturday. Sing Dragon (Written Tycoon) won the eighth race on the card from stable mates Talents Ambition (Into Mischief {USA}) and Mojave Desert (I Am Invincible).
Mark Newnham | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I’ve had quinellas before but not the first three (in a race),” Newnham said.
“All three horses ran to their form – I’m pleased all of my owners got good stake money. It was just Sing Dragon’s turn today. Hopefully we can separate them (the horses) in the future, but there’s not too many of these races so they’ll be racing against each other in the future.
“We’d have to look at some (overseas) options if their ratings keep going the way they are. I’m sure we’ve got a couple of owners who are keen to travel but their form would need to warrant it.”
Sing Dragon, who raced as Operative in Australia where he won two of his first three starts, now has seven wins from 26 starts with earnings over HK$9.9 million (AU$1.9 million). Sold by Arrowfield Stud in their 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft to Tom Magnier for $900,000, he was on-sold through Inglis Digital in 2023 for $230,000 to City Gold Bloodstock.
