Egyptian Ra Captures Hong Kong's First Group Race of the Season

Group racing returned to Hong Kong in the new season last night in the form of the Group 3 National Day Cup (1400m) named after the public holiday it falls on.

The HK$2,300,000 (approx.NZ$415,000) event drew a strong field of thirteen including Egyptian Ra (Woodborough x Egyptian Queen, by Kairoi Lad) who, with the highest rating of 126, carried 128 pounds (approx. 58kgs).

Previously a Group 1 winner of the Queen's Jubilee Cup over the same course and distance, Egyptian Ra came up against the likes of Group 1 performers Hawke's Bay, Sight Winner, Fellowship, Joy and Fun, Jackpot Delight and Nightlign last night.

Ridden for the first time by star apprentice Matthew Chadwick (claims five pounds), the New Zealand-bred galloper took 400m to find his feet and assume his usual front-running role where he has always looked most comfortable.

Nursed by Chadwick down the Sha Tin home straight Egyptian Ra still looked comfortable 200m from the winning post. Fellow kiwi-bred Fellowship (O'Reilly x Mystical Flight, by Danzalion) sprinted quickly as gaps appeared alongside Egyptian Ra but he arrived too late as Egyptian Ra grabbed victory for his master trainer Tony Cruz in 1.21.65.

Offered through New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Select Sale Egyptian Ra has now won eight races in Hong Kong with his earnings HK$18,000,000 (approx. NZ$3,250,000).

Paul O'Sullivan's Fellowship was a short-head away from claiming back-to-back National Day Cups and his effort for second will hold him in good stead for further Hong Kong features this season.

Out-performing all other nations in Hong Kong last season, New Zealand-breds have started the 2009/10 season on a very positive note in winning the nation's first feature event along with three under-card events on the very same night.

Other NZ-bred winners on the night included Conqueror (Woodborough x Britney's Way) for Alex YO Wong , Diamond Supreme (O'Relly x Igauzu) for Tony Millard, and Ribot Legend (Towkay x Tzigane) for Almond Lee.

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2009 Ready to Run Sale (17 November) catalogue will be on-line today, with breeze-ups set to take place at Te Rapa racecourse on 19 and 20 October.

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