Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was a well-backed third in the 2018 BMW Hong Kong Derby before winning the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup H. and finishing runner-up in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. Three years on, South American import Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), who racked up a trio of top-level successes on home soil prior to his sale to Hong Kong, outran odds of 25-1 to complete the tierce in this year's Derby and was only fifth to Butterfield (Brz) (Setembro Chove {Brz}) in the Queen Mother, but bounced back to take Sunday's last of 12 Group 1s on the local calendar, besting Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) by a cosy half-length. Exultant, winner of this even in 2019 and 2020, settled for third.
The third-roughest chance in a field of seven, Panfield bounced well and settled in the one-by-one position, outside of Glorious Dragon (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and on the back of Exultant as Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) led at a walking pace passing halfway. Ridden quietly into the final three furlongs by Karis Teetan, Panfield came three deep into the lane, went by Exultant with a bit less than 300 metres to travel and dug deep as the Joao Moreira-ridden Columbus County took a run at him late. It was a first Group 1 winner for trainer Tony Millard since the outstanding Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) took out the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in 2013.
“At the 700 [-metre mark], I knew this horse would go right through the line because he literally dropped down a gear and started to motor home,” Teetan said. “[But] you know when Joao comes next to you in a race, you know you've got a hard battle. In those big ones, he's come next to me a few times and he's got the better of me and I was like 'C'mon, Joao, not today,' and it pays off.”
Panfield is the first Hong Kong stakes winner for his Ashford Stud-based stallion, whose only other locally based runner Hongkong Great (Chi), also a three-time Group 1 winner in Chile, recently set a new track record for the extended mile on dirt and may target important main-track races overseas.
WATCH: Panfield outlasts Columbus County in the Champions & Chater
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000 (£1,093,684/€1,267,086/A$1,991,998/US$1,545,829), Sha Tin, 5-23, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:25.25, gd/fm.
1–PANFIELD (CHI), 126, c, 4, by Lookin At Lucky 1st Dam: Esterina (Arg), by Orpen 2nd Dam: Escoradita (Arg), by Johnny's Prospect 3rd Dam: Escorada, by Mari's Book
O-Yue Yin Hing; B-Agricola Taomina Ltda; T-Tony Millard;
J-Karis Teetan; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Chi,
12-6-1-1, HK$13,334,190. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Columbus County (NZ), 126, g, 5, Redwood (GB)–Spirit of
Sandford (NZ), by Kilimanjaro (GB). (NZ$33,000 Ylg '17
NZBFEB). O-Mr & Mrs Hamen Fan Shi Hoo, Alex Fan Chen Yen
& Christina Fan Chen Mun; B-D W Mayers & Mrs S J Taylor;
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,640,000.
3–Exultant (Ire), 126, g, 7, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark
of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau
Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton;
HK$1,200,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 2. Odds: 17-1, 11-5, 7-5.
Also Ran: Butterfield (Brz), Glorious Dragon (Ire), Russian Emperor (Ire), Packing Waltham (Fr), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Courier Wonder Lives Up to Expectations…
Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) announced himself as a potential G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint horse Sunday afternoon, taking full advantage of the race's handicap conditions to win the G3 Sha Tin Vase at Sha Tin. He remained perfect in five runs as the prohibitive favourite.
Rousted along early, the 3-year-old dropped into a perfect position, racing with cover on the circle–at times a touch keenly–and was angled out into the three path at the quarter pole. Joao Moreira had to get busy on his mount to get past Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), but he gained command and held off Stronger (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) while in receipt of 12 pounds from that rival. Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), also carrying 130 pounds, got home well for third.
“I'm very excited [for next season], he's the type of horse that everyone dreams to have,” Moreira said. “In the straight, I pulled him out and he dashed home as he always does–good horses like him give jockeys an amazing feeling. When we first started turning, he got a bit lost and wanted to run out today, shying away from the other horses, but as we progressed he started to relax, which is fantastic.”
Trainer John Size indicated Courier Wonder is done for the season, with a prep towards December's international races meeting in the offing.
A full-brother to last month's G1 Doncaster Mile runner-up Icebath (NZ), Courier Wonder is the fifth stakes winner–all at group level–for his late sire (by O'Reilly {NZ}). Fabulist is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Tivaci (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and produced fillies by Sacred Falls in 2019 and 2020.
WATCH: Courier Wonder makes it five straight in the Sha Tin Vase
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SHA TIN VASE H.-G3, HK$4,000,000 (£318,554/€370,119/A$583,102/US$450,791), Sha Tin, 5-23, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.16, gd/fm.
1–COURIER WONDER (NZ), 118, g, 4, by Sacred Falls (NZ) 1st Dam: Fabulist (NZ), by Savabeel (Aus) 2nd Dam: Fontaine (NZ), by Centaine (Aus) 3rd Dam: Water Garden (Aus), by Bellwater (Fr) 1ST STAKES WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (NZ$150,000 Ylg '19
NZBJAN). O-Mr & Mrs Chadwick Mok Cham Hung; B-Waikato
Stud Ltd; T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,495,000. Lifetime
Record: 5-5-0-0, HK$7,029,000. *1/2 to Nowyousee (NZ)
(O'Reilly {NZ}), SW-Sin, $441,970; Just Fabulous (NZ) (O'Reilly
{NZ}), GSP-NZ; full to Icebath (NZ), G1SP-Aus, $1,675,812. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stronger (Aus), 130, g, 4, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–Star Pupil
(Aus), by Starcraft (NZ). (A$1,050,000 Ylg '18 INGEAS).
O-Cheung Hon Kit, Joanna Cheung Wai Size & Jonathan
Cheung Yu Shing; B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette
Thoroughbred (NSW); T-Douglas Whyte; J-Vincent Ho;
HK$770,000.
3–Sky Field (Aus), 130, g, 4, Deep Field (Aus)–Laravissante (NZ),
by O'Reilly (NZ). (NZ$175,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Kwan Shiu
Man, Jessica Kwan Mun Hang & Jeffrey Kwan Chun Ming;
B-M Ryan (NSW); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Blake Shinn;
HK$402,500.
Margins: 3/4, HF, NO. Odds: 15-100, 24-1, 18-1.
Also Ran: Duke Wai (NZ), Computer Patch (Aus), Voyage Warrior (Aus), Rattan (NZ), Fat Turtle (Aus), Wishful Thinker (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
On this day 12 months ago, jockey Vincent Ho guided Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) to an upset victory in the FWD Champions Mile, his first Group 1 score some 10 years removed from being named the champion apprentice rider in Hong Kong and about a month after throwing Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) across the line first in the prestigious BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Sunday's FWD Champions Day program at Sha Tin, attended by the biggest on-track crowd since COVID-19 took hold last year, marked a new high for the homegrown hoop, as not only did he pilot Golden Sixty to a 14th consecutive victory in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (see below), he capped the afternoon with a savvy steer atop Japanese mare Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who led home a 1-2-3-4 finish for the island nation in the day's richest test, the HK$25-million G1 FWD QE II Cup.
“I can't describe it,” Ho told the HKJC notes team, reflecting on his two successes that came about 40 minutes apart. “The QEII Cup is one of my dream goals as well as the Derby and the December internationals, a QEII win means a lot. It's amazing today with Golden Sixty and Loves Only You. It's definitely one of the highlights, I'll enjoy it for sure.”
QE II Cup: How Sweep It Is…
Loves Only You was down in trip for the QE II Cup, having run a cracking third behind Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over a 12-furlong trip just 29 days back. The 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) victress jumped without incident from gate five and landed in the one-out and one-back position, as Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) was gifted a cheap time of it up front when potential pace factors Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) and Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) were slowly away.
The early tempo was very much in favour of need-the-lead Time Warp, who went the opening 800 metres in :51.92 and was past the half-mile marker in a dawdling 1:15.45. Defending champion Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was the first to try to pour some pressure on the front-runner, but Ho got going on Loves Only You leaving the three-furlong point, momentarily locking away favoured Japanese Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) down inside. Exultant couldn't quite get to Time Warp and was one of the first beaten, but Loves Only You was busily ridden into the final furlong and came away to score, as Glory Vase closed off nicely for second. Daring Tact found clear racing room in upper stretch, but was not good enough on the day and finished third, while Kiseki made belated progress into fourth.
Loves Only You is the first Hong Kong winner for colourful trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who won the 2016 G1 Dubai Turf with Loves Only You's full-brother Real Steel (Jpn) and the 2019 G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate in Australia with Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). The latter was beaten a neck by Exultant in the 2018 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and was third to compatriot Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in this race during her Horse of the Year campaign in 2019.
Loves Only You is the sixth Japanese-based winner of the QE II (Eishin Preston, 2002, 2003; Rulership {Jpn}, 2012; Neorealism {Jpn}), 2017; and Win Bright). She is the second female to win the race, joining Team Valor's Irridescence (SAf) (Caesour), who scored in 2006.
Pedigree Notes:
Loves Only You's dam was offered in foal to Danehill Dancer (Ire) as an unraced 3-year-old at the 2009 Keeneland November Sale, but nevertheless fetched $900,000, and with good reason.
Loves Only Me is a daughter of Monevassia, a full-sister to Kingmambo and to Miesque's Son, whose multiple champion and MG1SW Rumplestiltskin (Ire) (Danehill) is the dam of G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and her GSW full-brother John F Kennedy (Ire).
Third dam Miesque requires no introduction. Nine times a champion in England, France and the U.S., the homebred was victorious no fewer than 10 times in Group 1 and Grade I company, including the English and French 1000 Guineas in 1987, and the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois and GI Breeders' Cup Mile in 1987 and 1988, for which she received consecutive Eclipse Awards. Monevassia's half-sister Second Happiness (Storm Cat) is the dam of Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who carried the Flaxman silks to victory in the 2018 G1 Prix du Jockey Club.
The cross of Deep Impact over Storm Cat mares has produced 50 winners from 65 runners (71 foals), of which 11 have succeeded in stakes company (16% SWs to runners), including G1SW's A Shin Hikari (Jpn), Kizuna (Jpn), Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Lachesis (Jpn) and Ayusan (Jpn). Beauty Parlour (Jpn), herself a Pouliches winner, is out of a mare by Storm Cat's son Giant's Causeway.
Since producing her in utero foal, Loves Only Me had a standing date with Deep Impact, accounting for three million-dollar winners. She missed to the late sire in 2018, but is represented by a 2-year-old full-brother to Loves Only You and Real Steel from Deep Impact's final crop. Her yearling is a colt by Duramente (Jpn) and she was most recently covered by Heart's Cry (Jpn).
WATCH: Loves Only You leads a Japanese sweep of the QE II Cup
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD QE II CUP-G1, HK$25,000,000 (£2,321,128/€2,663,169/A$4,159,000/US$3,221,793), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.22, gd.
1–LOVES ONLY YOU (JPN), 122, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Loves Only Me, by Storm Cat 2nd Dam: Monevassia, by Mr. Prospector 3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev
(¥160,000,000 Ylg '17 JRHAJUL). O-DMM Dream Club Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Vincent Ho; HK$14,250,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Jpn, G1SP-UAE, 13-6-1-3, HK$40,536,420. *Full to Langley (Jpn), SP-Jpn, $1,173,360; Real Steel (Jpn), Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9.5f, G1SW-UAE, MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, $7,508,769; Prodigal Son (Jpn), SW & MGSP-Jpn, $1,564,219. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Glory Vase (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Mejiro Tsubone (Jpn), by Swept Overboard. (¥52,000,000 Ylg '16 JRHAJUL). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Lake Villa Farm; T-Tomohito Ozeki; J-Karis Teetan; HK$5,500,000.
3–Daring Tact (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Daring Bird (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (RNA fl '17 JRHAJUL; ¥12,000,000 Ylg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd; B-Hasegawa Bokujo; T-Haruki Sugiyama; J-Kohei Matsuyama; HK$2,500,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 1HF. Odds: 24-5, 37-10, 3-2.
Also Ran: Kiseki (Jpn), Exultant (Ire), Glorious Dragon (Ire), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Fourteen For 'Sixty'…
After toying with the idea of a start in the QE II Cup, the connections of Golden Sixty sensibly settled on the G1 FWD Champions Mile, where he started a $1.20 (1-5) mortal. In the end, he scraped in just ahead of stablemate More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) to take his career record to 17 wins from 18 runs, the last 14 in succession.
Golden Sixty and More Than this settled as the trailing duo in a race that drew just six entries, as Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) upsetter Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) showed the way from Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) through moderate early sectionals. Golden Sixty raced keenly down the back as is his wont–mouth agape–and was clearly last to make the bend after 800 metres in :47.69. Vincent Ho decided he could no longer hold the heavy favourite at the 600 metres, allowing Golden Sixty to sweep around rivals to make a line of four turning for home. The way he asserted a furlong and a half out had whipped those aforementioned fans into a frenzy, but Golden Sixty–who can idle once in front–began to lay in, even under a right-handed whip from Ho. More Than This, meanwhile, was hitting his best stride and was cutting back the margin, only to have the winning post come a fraction too soon. The runner-up's owner also campaigns Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who nearly beat Golden Sixty at 289-1 in the Derby.
“They were a bit slow, and when I pulled out at the 600-metre mark, he was already alongside them, then when I hit the straight he just went for it,” Ho told the HKJC notes team. “He has never been chased and we learnt today that he still can fight when something chases him, not just when he is doing the chasing, which is good.”
Winning trainer Francis Lui added: “He's a very good horse–I was a little bit worried, but Golden Sixty is that kind of horse, when he passes the other horses he thinks his job is done but then when he saw another runner coming he turned it on again.”
Now seven-from-seven this term, Golden Sixty is a candidate for a break, but an historic sweep of the Triple Crown and a bonus loom if he were to add the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) to previous victories in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in a month's time. It would mark his first start past 10 furlongs.
“Depends, I will see how the horse recovers and then decide, because the Triple Crown is still under consideration,” Lui said. “I don't think the distance is a worry, he's that kind of horse who will fight no matter what, it just depends on how he recovers.”
WATCH: Golden Sixty makes it 14 straight in the Champions Mile
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD CHAMPIONS MILE-G1, HK$20,000,000 (£1,856,903/€2,130,535/A$3,327,200/US$2,577,434), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.45, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd; T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$11,400,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo-HK, 18-17-0-0, HK$77,925,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $132,352. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–More Than This (GB), 126, g, 5, Dutch Art (GB)–Striving (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (40,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd; T-Francis Lui; J-Joao Moreira; HK$4,400,000.
3–Southern Legend (Aus), 126, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–Donna's Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg '14 INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,000,000.
Margins: HD, 3HF, HF. Odds: 1-5, 81-10, 38-5.
Also Ran: Healthy Happy (Aus), Ka Ying Star (GB), Mighty Giant (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
All Too Easy For Wellington in the Chairman's…
For some time, Hong Kong has been looking for its next superstar sprinter, and with Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) on the shelf and with time having been called on the local stint of The Everest winner Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), those entered for Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize had a chance to stake their claims. Despite a hot $2.20 (6-5) favourite in the form of G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Wellington (Aus), a son of Black Caviar (Aus)'s half-brother All Too Hard (Aus), rose to the challenge to lead home a 4-year-old sweep. Danon Smash, subsequent winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, never looked likely, finishing four lengths' sixth.
Settled midfield and one off the fence as Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) set a sedate tempo for the opening 400 metres, Wellington traveled sweetly outside of the rail-skimming Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and about a length ahead of a niggled-at Danon Smash as the real running was about to begin. Eased to the outside of Voyage Warrior (Aus) (Declaration of War) at the quarter-mile marker, Wellington launched his rally down the centre of the course, grabbed a game Computer Patch with 50 metres to race and pulled clear. Sky Field was another nose back in third.
“He had a perfect trip,” said winning jockey Alexis Badel. “The horse was much more relaxed than last time. Honestly, the draw last time was a bit difficult and the ground was faster as well, so it was difficult for me to relax the horse without giving ground.
“Today, I had the perfect race, just close to the pace and more relaxed and when I put a little bit of pressure on my horse, he responded very well. To me, he's a top-class horse and he just proved it today,” Badel added.
Winner of three-from-four during his first preparation last season, Wellington romped over 1000 metres with 133 pounds on his back in Class 3 in December and defeated Computer Patch in Class 1 Mar. 13. He was most recently fifth to 178-1 Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) from a high draw in the G2 Sprint Cup Apr. 5.
Pedigree Notes:
Wellington is the 20th black-type winner, 14th at group level, and the fourth top-level winner for Vinery Australia's All Too Hard. For More Than Ready, who shuttles from WinStar Farm in the U.S. to Vinery for Southern Hemisphere stud duties, his daughters have now produced 108 stakes winners, 50 at the graded or group level and now 13 Grade I/Group 1 winners worldwide.
Wellington's dam, Group 3-placed in Australia, is a daughter of Danoise, who was acquired by breeder Kia Ora Stud for 240,000gns at the 2006 Tattersalls December Mares sale. His third dam, the German stakes-placed Solo de Lune was responsible for Irish highweight L'Ancresse (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), second in the 2003 G1 Darley Irish Oaks and a neck second to Islington (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. L'Ancresse's son Master of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was a winner at Group 3 level in Ireland and a longshot third to Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the 2019 G1 Ascot Gold Cup.
Solo de Lune's daughter Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was victorious in the Irish Oaks and runner-up in the G1 Investec Oaks and has gone on to be a high-quality producer, having accounted for G3 Chester Vase winner and Derby runner-up US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), MGSW Nelson (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and three other full stakes winners. Solo de Lune also bred G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), the dam of GSW & G1SP champion stayer Honolulu (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
The 10-year-old Mihiri is the dam of a yearling filly by Star Witness (Aus) that fetched A$85,000 from Tricolours Racing and Syndications at the Inglis Classic Sale this past February and was bred back to All Too Hard last September.
WATCH: Wellington romps in the Chairman's Sprint Prize
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE-G1, HK$18,000,000 (£1,671,238/€1,917,592/A$2,994,224/US$2,319,704), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.64, gd.
1–WELLINGTON (AUS), 126, g, 4, by All Too Hard (Aus) 1st Dam: Mihiri (Aus) (GSP-Aus, $123,433), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Danoise (GB), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Solo de Lune (Ire), by Law Society 1ST STAKES WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$70,000 Ylg '18 MMGCYS). O-Mr & Mrs Michael Chen Wing On & Jeffrey Cheng Man Cheong; B-Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd, David Paradise, Steve McCann (NSW); T-Richard Gibson; J-Alexis Badel; HK$10,260,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-1-0, HK$18,424,690. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Computer Patch (Aus), 126, r, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Girl Hussler (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$800,000 Ylg '18 INGEAS). O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; J-Matthew Chadwick; HK$3,960,000.
3–Sky Field (Aus), 126, g, 4, Deep Field (Aus)–Laravissante (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ). (NZ$175,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Kwan Shiu Man, Jessica Kwan Mun Hang & Jeffrey Kwan Chun Ming; B-M Ryan (NSW); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Blake Shinn; HK$1,800,000.
Margins: 1HF, NO, 3/4. Odds: 29-10, 18-1, 11-1.
Also Ran: Voyage Warrior (Aus), Wishful Thinker (Aus), Danon Smash (Jpn), Stronger (Aus), Rattan (NZ), Big Party (Aus), Fat Turtle (Aus), Jolly Banner (Aus), Beauty Applause (Aus), Amazing Star (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Japanese-based gallopers have left their mark on FWD Champions Day at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse, and as many as five raiders from the nearby island nation will attempt to continue that trend this weekend in front of as many as 6,000 racegoers as COVID restrictions ease in the region.
The day's richest event at HK$25 million is the G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000mT), in which Japan owns four of the seven entries with a cloud hanging over the participation of 2019 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Reigning Filly Triple Crown winner and champion 3-year-old filly Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) looms the one to beat, even as she suffered a shock defeat as the $1.40 (2-5) favourite in the G2 Kinko Sho in her lone outing this season Mar. 14. Her stiffest challenge could come from Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), like Daring Tact winner of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at home and exiting a tough third to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410mT) at Meydan Mar. 27. Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), whose sire took out this event in 2012, won the 2017 G1 Kikuka Sho (3000mT) and could be a pace factor, while Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) defends his title as one of three Hong Kong entries. Japanese runners have won the QE II five times since 2002 and twice in its last four runnings.
Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who won the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at longshot odds before adding last month's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200mT), is clearly the one to beat from gate five in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, a race won just once by a foreign entry (Chautauqua {Aus}, 2016). It can be said that trainer Takayuki Yasuda, who also conditioned Danon Smash's two-time Hong Kong Sprint-winning sire, holds the 6-year-old in fairly high regard.
“Last December I honestly thought Danon Smash was not equal to the level of Lord Kanaloa at that stage, but after winning that race, he improved a lot,” Yasuda said. “I think Danon Smash has reached the same point as Lord Kanaloa now.”
With top sprinter Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) on the shelf, the locals have a chance to sort themselves out in the pecking order. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) had won six of eight, but was no better than fifth to 178-1 Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the G2 Sprint Cup Apr. 5. Stronger (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) has just a single win in Class 2 to his credit this season, but was runner-up to Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in a Class 1 at Happy Valley two back and missed by a short-head in the Sprint Cup last time.
Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) will be a long odds-on selection in the G1 FWD Champions Mile, a victory in which would take his current winning streak to 14. Only five others are signed on, including last year's winner Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), but Golden Sixty is likely to stay out of trouble and his late turn of foot should get the job done.
“I'm happy. I just had an easy gallop over six furlongs on him this morning and everything is good,” his regular rider Vincent Ho said. “There are no any concerns over him in any way. He feels very good.”
The last-start winner of the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over 10 furlongs, Golden Sixty was for a time under consideration for the QE II, but lands in his sweet spot for this.
Any time you hand the car keys to Joao Moreira, you have a fair bit of confidence that good things are to come. Still, entering Sunday's HK$24-million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin, there were questions aplenty as to whether Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), the race's highest-rated galloper, would see out the trip, having underperformed in the two lead-up events. But, one race after bringing up his 100th winner for the season, the 'Magic Man' put a brilliant steer on the Kiwi-bred and the pair just lasted, as Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) were zeroing in late.
Only sixth as the favourite to Excellent Proposal (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the Jan. 24 Hong Kong Classic Mile and seventh behind Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) Feb. 21–albeit with imperfect trips–Sky Darci drew two for the Derby to the delight of trainer Caspar Fownes, who admitted his charge would benefit from a low gate. The NZ$160,000 NZB Premier Yearling (Book 1) bounced well and settled in about fifth spot early as Healthy Happy and Silver Express (Aus) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) put several lengths on the well-backed Shadow Hero (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) going to the backstretch. Moreira was only too happy to play the hand he'd been dealt and remain glued to the paint, and when the forwardly placed Russian Emperor slid away from the fence and the pace dropped passing midway, Sky Darci immediately seized upon the opportunity to improve, a move that would prove decisive in the end.
Pinching ground on the turn, Sky Darci was on the heels of the leading duo as Silver Express overhauled Healthy Happy nearing the straight. Pulled out around that duo, Sky Darci hit the front with a bit more than a furlong to travel and knuckled down late to become the fourth New Zealand-bred Derby winner in the last six years. Last year's G3 Hampton Court S. hero Russian Emperor proved his Classic Cup effort (at 80-1) was no fluke, just missing as the $4.70 (37-10) choice, while treble Chilean Group 1 winner Panfield hit the line hard for third. Excellent Proposal rallied down the center for fourth.
“I had to angle my way out, but once I got into the straight, I had taken the lead a little bit too early, but I knew I was on the best horse in the race and I had a lot of confidence in the horse,” said Moreira, adding to his victory aboard the late Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) in 2017. “I knew they were coming, they were good horses as well. He's not a specialist 2000-metre horse, in my opinion, but he's got heart and even if they were coming, he was giving his best.”
It was also a second Derby success for Fownes, who saddled Super Satin (NZ) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) to success in the 2010 renewal.
“It was the longest [last] 200 metres I've ever seen in a race, that's for sure,” the always-accessible Fownes told the HKJC notes team. “It felt like an eternity there and I'm glad he stuck his neck out and got the winning result. All in all, it's a magic day–massive satisfaction. This horse with the owners [the Kwan family], it's magic, they've been incredible people to train for.”
Sky Darci was the only member of the 14-horse field who was untried overseas prior to his import, similar to 2020 winner Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro).
WATCH: Sky Darci digs deep to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby
Pedigree Notes:
Sky Darci–the third and most successful of his dam's produce to race in Hong Kong–is the 52nd black-type winner for his sire, whose 11 Group 1 winners include D B Pin (NZ), winner in Hong Kong of the Centenary Sprint Cup and twice runner-up in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Despite his sire's propensity to throw a top sprinter, there is plenty in Sky Darci's pedigree to suggest he could stay the 2000 metres. His half-brother Chocante (NZ) was a Group 3 winner in New Zealand going an extended mile and a quarter and won the G2 Brisbane Cup over 2200 metres while finishing third in the G1 The Metropolitan H. (2400m) in Sydney. Sky Darci's second dam was a daughter of Red Chiffon, who annexed the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup going 2000 metres and was third in the 1988 G1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Sky Darci is the third winner of the Hong Kong Derby in six years to be raised at Highden Park in New Zealand. Sam and Libby Bleakley's operation was also responsible for 2018 Derby hero Ping Hai Star (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}), who was unsold on a bid of NZ$40,000 when consigned by Highden Park to the 2015 NZBSEL sale. They also had their hands on 2016 Derby winner and future Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), as well as Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), two-time Horse of the Year who was third to Rapper Dragon in 2017 and became a two-time winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.
Sky Darci is the fourth consecutive Derby winner to go under the hammer at the Karaka sales. In addition to Ping Hai Star, Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) was sold for NZ$210,000 as a yearling in 2016 and current Hong Kong king of the hill Golden Sixty fetched NZ$300,000 at the auction house's Ready To Run sale in 2017.
The dam of Chocante's gelded 2-year-old full-brother El Vencedor (NZ), Strictly Maternal is represented by a yearling full-brother to Sky Darci and missed to Shocking for 2020 before returning to the same stallion.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BMW HONG KONG DERBY 2021-LR, HK$24,000,000 (£2,221,667/€2,593,350/A$3,975,501/US$3,090,927), Sha Tin, 3-21, NH/SH4yo, 2000mT, 2:01.32, gd.
1–SKY DARCI (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Darci Brahma (NZ) 1st Dam: Strictly Maternal (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ) 2nd Dam: Take Silk (NZ), by Star Way (GB) 3rd Dam: Red Chiffon (Aus), by Sovereign Red (NZ) 1ST STAKES WIN. (NZ$160,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Jessica Kwan Mun Hang; B-M W Freeman & D G Price; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Joao Moreira; HK$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-HK, 12-6-3-0, HK$21,037,965. *1/2 to Chocante (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}), GSW & G1SP-Aus, GSW-NZ, $315,590.
2–Russian Emperor (Ire), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Atlantic Jewel (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mike Cheung Shun Ching; B-Coolmore, Lauri Macri & Parnters; T-Douglas Whyte; J-Karis Teetan; HK$5,280,000.
3–Panfield (Chi), 126, c, 4, Lookin At Lucky–Esterina (Arg), by Orpen. O-Yue Yun Hing; B-Agricola Taomina Ltda; T-Tony Millard; J-Chad Schofield; HK$2,400,000.
Margins: HD, HF, 1. Odds: 11-2, 37-10F, 25-1.
Also Ran: Excellent Proposal (Aus), Delightful Laos (Ire), Healthy Happy (Aus), Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), Packing Waltham (Fr), Silver Express (Aus), Lucky Express (Aus), Maximus (Ger), Shadow Hero (Aus), Congratulation, Conqueror (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
