Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Little Paradise gives Toronado another 4-Year-Old contender
Zac Purton extended his lead on the Jockey’s Premiership to 45 with another double aboard Chris So-trained With A Smile (Merchant Navy), but it was the impressive victory of Jimmy Tang-trained Little Paradise (Toronado {Ire}) that had everyone talking about the 4-Year-Old Series.
“We didn’t want to go in front because the draw was a bit bad. I left it to Zac. He wanted to get a bit closer to the pace and luckily there was one horse who could go in front of him and (Zac) could settle him in second,” Tang told scmp.com.
The series begins on February 1 with the Listed Classic Mile, following by the Listed Classic Cup and the Listed Hong Kong Derby. “He’s four years old and every horse who is four years old and gets the result should be there. He should have the rating to get into the race,” said Ting.
“He’ll have one more race (before the Classic Mile) – 1400 metres or 1600 metres – but I need to talk to Zac and see which one he can ride him in.” Little Paradise has done all his racing in Hong Kong where he’s won four of his seven starts and over HK$4 million (AU$770,000). He was sold by Carramar Park at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $270,000 to Dullingham and Legends Bloodstock.
He’s the first winner for Devil In Her Heart (Star Witness) who has a Farnan yearling colt. Devil In Her Heart is an unraced half-sister to Group 2 winner Olentia (Zoustar), Group 3 winner Wandabaa (Wandjina), and Listed winner Malkovich (Choisir).
Toronado’s Helios Express won the 2024 Listed Classic Mile, and he runs in the G1 Hong Kong Mile at the international meeting next Sunday.
Bowman and Shum enjoy doubles ahead of International meeting
Trainer Danny Shum’s focus is on Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) ahead of next Sunday’s attempt to win a record four successive G1 Hong Kong Cups. It didn’t distract him from a double on Sunday with Foremost Teddy (Fastnet Rock) ridden by Karis Teetan, and Gorgeous Win (Press Statement) ridden by Hugh Bowman. The double takes Shum to third on the Trainer’s Premiership with 20 wins, behind Mark Newnham on 24 and Caspar Fownes on 21.
Gorgeous Win | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“It was a good win, he’s been out of form but he’s been feeling good at home on the track so it might have been a confidence thing with him,” Bowman told hkjc.com about Gorgeous Win.
“I feel he hasn’t been giving enough effort. His work on Thursday morning (4 December) was very encouraging and I think the change to the All-Weather was the difference because today we saw him compete – I’m very proud of him.”
Bowman also scored a double to take him to 18 wins for the season, second to Purton on the jockey’s table. His other winner was John Size-trained Wukong Jewellery (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
Lor’s 250 wins at Sha Tin
Trainer Frankie Lor won his 250th race on the Sha Tin turf when All Too Hard 3-year-old gelding Embrace Aberdeen prevailed on debut. Ridden by Matthew Poon and given no chance by punters at 59-1, Embrace Aberdeen won by a short head from Aurio (Capitalist) who has won twice in Australia but is yet to score in Hong Kong.
Embrace Aberdeen | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He (Embrace Aberdeen) looked like he was still a little bit fat but I’d trialled him five times already so it was time to put him in a race. Drawing (barrier) nine was a little bit tricky so I asked the jockey to follow the horse on his inside and go forward and he got him in a good position. To win was a surprise though,” Lor told hkjc.com.
“You can see today he was still only around 80 per cent (fit), so I think he will improve from this race.”
Originally sold by Vinery Stud at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $70,000 to Gleneagles Stud. He was pinhooked through the Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where Patrick Payne purchased him for $180,000.
Embrace Aberdeen is the first foal of three-time winner Gentle Persuasion (More Than Ready {USA}) who has an All Too Hard 2-year-old colt and a yearling filly by Exceedance. This is the family of USA stallion Seeking The Gold, with Embrace Aberdeen’s second dam Pay Off Now (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) being a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Gamble Me (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Newnham stays on top with another win
Notthesillyone (Super One) made it two in a row for trainer Mark Newnham, who stays at the top of the Trainers’ Premiership. The 5-year-old gelding was ridden by Luke Ferraris who gave a shout out to Newnham’s team. “He’s a horse that’s taken a while to acclimatise to Hong Kong. He’s definitely improved – he’s just one of those horses who took time to get used to the place,” Ferraris told hkjc.com.
“Mark and the team have done a great job with him. He’s come from the middle of Class 5 to winning in Class 4 and the way he went today with his demeanour suggests he could do it again with more weight. Really happy with him and looking forward to next time.”
Notthesillyone has done all his racing in Hong Kong and didn’t win until his ninth start, but has now strung together three wins in five starts. He was sold through Inglis Digital in August 2023 for $1500 as an unraced 3-year-old, bought by Gary Johnson, and went to the trial shortly after that for his first public outing. He won two trials at Newcastle and Wyong before being sold to Hong Kong. He’s the first foal of Silly Sally (Myboycharlie {Ire}) who was a minor winner in southern NSW.
Hong Kong’s International Jockey’s Challenge runs on Wednesday at Happy Valley, and is the major International meeting with HK$130 million (AU$25 million) in prizemoney on offer across four Group 1 races.
