Aerovelocity (NZ) Bounces Back to his Brilliant Best

With a star like champion sprinter Aerovelocity it is little wonder the progeny of NZ-based sire Pins remain a hugely popular commodity with Hong Kong owners.

Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins) bounced back to his brilliant best with a dominating performance to capture the HK-1 HK$8,000,000 Centenary Cup Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The son of Pins was having his second start in six months, the seven-year-old returned with a dashing display to record his fourth win at the highest level.

“That was his best lifetime performance - he smashed them on Sunday,” commented ex-pat kiwi trainer Paul O’Sullivan. “Aerovelocity is another great product from the NZB National Yearling Sales Series. He’s certainly the best sprinter here in Hong Kong.”

Aerovelocity had missed the opportunity to defend his Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint crown in December, costing him a shot at the US$1 million Global Sprint Challenge Bonus.

He had earlier claimed both the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in Japan and the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore.

Ridden by regular rider Zac Purton, the pair settled in fourth place until cruising up to the leaders, after turning for home. Peniaphobia (Dandy Man) led briefly before Aerovelocity blew him away with 150m to run to comfortably win by one-and-half-lengths over race-favourite Gold Fun (Le Vie Dei Colori) in second, with one-and-three-quarters of length back to Peniaphobia in third.

“He’ll have a busy season ahead with 3-4 races in total,” added O’Sullivan. “We’ll probably prioritize the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on May 1."

O'Sullivan believes there are plenty of options for him, including the Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), at Sha Tin on February 28, a return trip to Chukyo for the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) on March 27, the Group 1 US$2 million Golden Shaheen (1200m) on the previous evening at Meydan, the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) in Sydney, and the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m), at Sha Tin on May 1.

Aerovelocity made his debut in New Zealand, under the name Naisoso Warrior, having only one start for one win when trained by Wexford Stables’ Andrew Scott.

Owned by Daniel Yeung Ngai, Aerovelocity recorded his eleventh win from 20 starts and has now earned NZ$5,757,769 in prizemoney.

Paul O’Sullivan purchased the six-year-old gelding for NZ$120,000 at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale from Windsor Park Stud.

Bred by Nelson Schick and Steve Till, the son of Pins is out of winning mare Exodus (Kaapstad), a full-sister to Kapitain Kash (Kaapstad), winner of the Group 2 Counties Cup, and is a half-sister to Dante’s Paradiso (Danske), winner of the Listed Tattersalls Club Cup.

Pins has been a dominant sire in Hong Kong for the last five seasons, winning the general sires premiership by prizemoney twice and finishing second and fourth in two other seasons.

His progeny have won almost 100 races in Hong Kong since 2010 led by Aerovelocity and his other champions Ambitious Champion and National Treasure.