Amazing Star (NZ) Soars to Sprint Cup Win

A brilliant late burst carried Karaka graduate Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to a career-best victory in Monday’s HK$4.5m Group Two Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.

Bought for $30,000 from the draft of breeders Blandford Lodge at the 2016 Select Sale, Amazing Star has now had 22 starts for seven wins, three placings and HK$9.06m in stakes. That’s the equivalent of NZ$1.65m, which is 55 times his purchase price.

Ridden on Monday by expat Brazilian jockey Vagner Borges, the six-year-old enjoyed a comfortable run behind a fast pace, sitting in seventh place on the rail.

He seized his opportunity when a gap opened in the straight, charging past the tiring leaders to hit the lead with 100 metres to run. Stronger (Not a Single Doubt) flashed home to provide a late scare, but Amazing Star held him out by a short head. The time was a rapid 1:08.24.

“I’m very happy, it’s my first Group win in Hong Kong,” Borges said. “I’m delighted. I have no words to describe how happy I am.

“As the race started, the horse jumped well and there was good pace, so I just sat there. When I asked the horse for a response, he responded really well and I was able to get the job done.”

It was also a career-best win for trainer Jimmy Ting, who was granted a full licence in the 2018-19 season. He trains Amazing Star for owners the Grinders’ Racing Club Syndicate.

“I still do not believe it,” Ting said. “Maybe the pace was a bit fast and it was suitable for him. Over the last 200 metres, I thought he had a chance – only then.

“The horse suffers from back problems, but he is an amazing horse. His name is Amazing Star.” 

Amazing Star is the fourth Karaka graduate to win the Sprint Cup in the last five years, following on from Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel) two years ago, and the multiple Group 1 Sha Tin sprint winners Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel) and Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook) in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Monday’s win also completed a notable Hong Kong double over recent weeks for Karaka graduates who are sons of quality New Zealand sire Darci Brahma (NZ), with Amazing Star following in the footsteps of Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero Sky Darci (NZ).