Ambitious Dragon (NZ) Brilliant in Hong Kong Derby

Move over Beauty Flash, Hong Kong has another star on the scene, the HK$16,000,000 HK-1 Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Ambitious Dragon, who also bears the renowned NZ suffix and NZB sale tag.

In what has unfolded into an exceptional season for the Tony Millard trained Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins x Golden Gamble), the four-year-old has won six of his seven starts this campaign, culminating in successive wins at HK-1 level claiming the famous Derby lead up, the Hong Kong Classic Cup at his previous start.

A son of Waikato Stud's resident stallion Pins, Ambitious Dragon's rise to ascendancy in Hong Kong has been a sharp and brilliant ride. To come from winning his first race at class four level over 1400 metres in late October, to take back to back HK-1 wins is something that is very rare, and is an achievement that has not gone un-noticed.

Jockey Maxime Guyon, who travelled from France for the race, put in a ride to match his mounts performance. And, although the margin of the victory was only a length, the authority of his win suggests that Ambitious Dragon is a Hong Kong Derby winner with exceptional ability.

"I am very, very happy," said the winning jockey Maxime Guyon.

"He was a big favourite but he did everything I asked. I am so happy with him and so full of confidence too for future races. I only had to whip him once and I think he is sure to be an international Group 1 horse of the future."

No horse has ever won the Derby from a gate as wide as 14 since the race's distance was changed to the 2000 metres in 2000, and Trainer Tony Millard was full of praise for the horse.

"I didn't worry about the draw, I just worried about the horse. But after the draw I went to look at him and he looked so well, I had no doubts.

"You get a horse like this just once or twice in a lifetime and I just feel lucky to have him. Maxime rode him an absolute treat. At one point he was blocked too, but the horse was good enough in spite of that. He's one of those you just dream about."

The win has seen the NZ suffix claim back to back victories in the Derby, one of the feature races on the Hong Kong calendar, with Super Satin (NZ) winning the race last year. It is a remarkable achievement for New Zealand breeders given the exposure the race has to the international market, and the quality of horses that contest it.

The son of Pins has now earned over HK$14 million in stakes and has won six of his eleven starts. Raced by Johnson Lam Pui Hung, Ambitious Dragon was bred by Pat Lowry and was offered at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale by Belvedere Farm.

An astute purchase, the Hong Kong Jockey Club went to $420,000 to secure the half-brother to Ambitious Dragon by the boom sire High Chaparral at Lot 340 at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale. He will be offered at the HKJC's International Sale in March 2012.

NZB graduates white-washed stakes races at the Sha Tin meeting with Sapelli (NZ) (Flying Spur x Ishkala) winning the HK-3 Premier Plate (1800m).

In a strong performance, Sapelli came from two lengths last at the 1000 metres to power down the outside and beat the favourite Mighty High by a short head at the post, notching up his seventh win and taking his earnings to over HK$6.5 million.

Sapelli was bought by Mr GT Hennessy from Highview Stud for $170,000 at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale.

NZB graduates won four races on the 10 race card with Dispatcher (Pentire) winning the Class 4 Super Fit Handicap (1400m), and Forest Star (Pins) capping off a great night for his sire, winning the Class 3 Maybach Race (1400m).

Capping off a big weekend in Asia, St Peter's Gift (NZ) (St. Petersburg x Royal pass) has brought up his fifth win from 12 starts in winning the Listed Macau Derby Trial over 1500 metres on Saturday night. The victory was his first at stakes level after running two consecutive placings, including one behind NZB graduate Easy Choice (NZ) in the Listed Macau Winter Trophy.

St Peter's Gift was bought by Magus Equine from Curraghmore Stud at the 2008 Ready to Run Sale for $90,000.