Hong Kong Review: Numbers adds to Classic series count

Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Queensland Derby-placed Numbers wins G3 Centenary Vase

Former John O’Shea and Tom Charleton-trained Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci), who was named King Of Thunder in Australia, was tough in winning Sunday’s G3 Centenary Vase. He led down the straight and rallied again when challenged to sprint clear and win by two lengths. The Frankie Lor-trained 4-year-old gelding has put himself into firm contention for the Listed Hong Kong Derby.

Lor will run him in the second leg of the 4-Year-Old Series, the 1800-metre Classic Cup on March 1 before heading to the Derby. “I have a lot of hope. You can see in Australia he already has form over 2400 metres, so I don’t think there will be any problems and we’ll just go for it,” Lor told hkjc.com.

“He won really well, I think the light weight was good for him. Usually, in the Group 3, light weights mostly run really good. In Australia, he could lead or sit second, third or fourth, he has lots of stamina. He’s a quiet horse at home but he’s enjoying things so I’m really happy. The next stage is the Classic Cup and the Hong Kong Derby now.”

Jockey Derek Leung was equally as confident for his future. “He can lead, or if someone’s going faster than him, he can be second or third – just wherever he wants to be. He loves to chase a horse. So, it doesn’t matter… he loves the challenge,” Leung said.

Numbers won his maiden at his third start as a spring 3-year-old, running third in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase. In the autumn, he won in Sydney and placed in the G2 Tulloch Stakes before heading to Brisbane where he was second in the G1 Queensland Derby.

That would be his final start in Australia, where he won two of his 12 starts. In Hong Kong, he ran third on his debut before putting together two wins in succession. This season, he’s earned over HK$7.4 million (AU$1.35 million) to go with his $500,000 earned in Australia.

He becomes the eighth stakes winner for former Waikato Stud sire Tivaci, a son of High Chaparral (Ire). John O’Shea Racing found him at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for NZ$50,000 from Ohukia Lodge’s draft.

There’s plenty of stamina in the pedigree, as Numbers is a son of Listed St Leger Stakes-placed Sheezababe (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) who also produced G1 Vinery Stud Stakes-placed Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}). His second dam is G1 Sydney Cup winner Honor Babe (NZ) (Honor Grades {USA}).

Derby prospects improve ratings with wins

Cody Mo-trained Emblazon (Zoustar) improved his chances of making the Listed Hong Kong Derby field with his third win in succession. He now has four wins from his past five starts, a vast improvement on his 3-year-old season where he was unplaced in two starts in Hong Kong.

Another winner on the card holding an entry to the Derby, but in need of a re-handicap is John Size-trained Flow Water Flow (NZ) (Proisir). “I think he’s got a bright future. As far as the Derby’s concerned, he might be too far behind schedule for that. We’ll wait and see,” Size said.

“He’s done well – he’s progressive, he continues to pitch up and do the right thing. I’ve asked him probably to do a little bit more than usual by stepping up in distance so quickly and he’s handled it. He’s gone from 1200 metres to 1800 metres pretty quickly and copped it and the same at home.”

Flow Water Flow has had five starts, all in Hong Kong, running second in his first three outings, before winning two in succession.

Treble for Atzeni

Jockey Andrea Atzeni added to his double at Happy Valley on Wednesday with a treble on Sunday at Sha Tin. He won on King Dance (USA) (Nyquist {USA}), Good Chap (Deep Field), and Flow Water Flow.

“I’m getting the support and obviously being able to ride these light weights, for me it’s a big help,” Atzeni told scmp.com. He’s currently third on the Jockey’s Premiership with 25 wins for this term, well behind runaway leader Zac Purton who has 73 wins this season. Second-placed Hugh Bowman has 32 wins.

Good Chap, a son of G3 Silver Shadow Stakes winner Pane In The Glass (Testa Rossa) is a full brother to Group 2 winner and G1 Surround Stakes-placed Xilong. He was a $190,000 purchase from Newgate Farm’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft, bought by Taui Johnson Bloodstock and Kiwi International Syndicate.

Hayes and Newnham locked in a battle

Things change quickly in Hong Kong, but the top of the Trainer’s Premiership remains the same with leader Mark Newnham getting a winner with exciting 3-year-old gelding Lucky Ranger (NZ) (Vanbrugh) and the chasing trainer David Hayes also having a winner with All Round Winner (Divine Prophet) to keep the gap at one. “I’m clipping Newnham’s heels. It’s anyone’s race at the moment – maybe by Easter it will be clearer,” said Hayes.

“I know John (Size) was equal with me at this time last year and he won by eight, and I ran second and beat Caspar by eight, so it changes a lot in the last half.”

Newnham’s 3-year-old won at his second start in the region. “He’s quite a promising horse and Luke (Ferraris) has done a really good job with him. He was quite a nervous horse when he arrived so needed some quiet hands, and Luke has ridden him in all his trials and jump outs,” Newnham told scmp.com.

“He’s only a 3-year-old and is a small horse that is still maturing. We won’t overtax him this season and he will be a nice mile horse for next year.”

He’s the third winner from as many to race for Too Fast For Love (So You Think {NZ}) who ran fourth in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery. She’s a half-sister to G2 Skyline Stakes winner Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}). He was sold by Windsor Park Stud at the 2204 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$90,000 to Lucky Owners.