Hong Kong Victors Provide Timely Boost For Karaka Siblings

22 January 2007

New Zealand bred horses again showed why they are a globally sought commodity, accounting for�four victories on the Sha Tin programme in Hong Kong on Saturday.

The Danny Shum trained Forever Fortune (NZ) (Montjeu x Iridescent) recorded a comfortable victory in the first on the card, a Class 4 over 1400m. The Montjeu three-year-old was knocked down to Shum for NZ$210,00 at the Karaka Premier Sale in 2005 from�Bill Gleeson's Wellfield Lodge.� Forever Fortune's maiden victory is a timely boost to his full-brother yearling to be offered next week as Lot 727 in the Karaka Select Yearling Sale.

Runner up, Able Standard (NZ) (Stravinsky x Darwasha) was purchased by Bruce Wallace at the 2003 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$60,000. The Oaks Stud will offer a Viking Ruler half-sister to Able Standard as Lot 607 in next week's Select Sale.

Classic King (NZ) (Kaapstad x Andra) continued the success for Kiwi-breds with a solid victory in the second event on the card, a Class 5 over 1600m. The five-year-old was sold at the 2003 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$110,000 and a half-sister by Montjeu will be offered by Windsor Park Stud as Lot 41 of the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.

The Almond Lee trained King Acrylic (NZ) (Danasinga x Frisco Ann) made it back to back victories when successful in a Class 4 1600m event. The son of Danasinga was snapped up by Dean Hawthorne's Anzac Lodge for NZ$35,000 at the 2004 Premier Sale.

King Acrylic narrowly prevailed over Wait For Me (NZ) (Montjeu x Ecole), who was purchased by Halo Bloodstock for NZ$80,000 at the 2004 New Zealand Ready To Run Two-Year-Old Sale, having earlier been offered at the Premier Yearling Sale of that year.

The Danny Shum trained Ransom Diamond (NZ) (Centaine x Ransom Bay) made it a New Zealand bred trifecta, finishing third. Purchased at the 2004 Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$47,500 by Tony Pike, a Van Nistelrooy half brother to Ransom Diamond will be offered at next week's Select Yearling Sale by Trelawney Stud at Lot 915.

Kiwi trainer, Paul O'Sullivan continued his charge towards the top of the Trainers Premiership with a double on the Sha Tin programme. O'Sullivan, who is currently second behind Casper Fownes, enjoyed success with Elegant Win (NZ) (Danehill x Court). Previously trained in New Zealand by Graeme Rogerson�and Stephen Autridge, Elegant Win raced as Danish Counsel and showed good ability as a juvenile, finishing�fourth to star galloper, Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill x Grand Echezeaux) in the Listed Matamata Slipper (1200m). The Class 3 victory over 1400m was Elegant Win's first victory in Hong Kong, having finished fifth on debut.