Kiwi Success at Sha Tin

On the back of a successful week of National Yearling Sales at Karaka, several New Zealand Bloodstock graduates provided top performances at Sha Tin last night.

In one of the features on the night, the Class 1 High Island Handicap (1400m), New Zealand Bloodstock graduates claimed a quinella, with Gold Striker (Faltaat x Lady Centaine) taking out the race in emphatic style, under a hands and heels ride by Brett Prebble, crossing the line two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Firm Offer (Fasliyev x Initial Offering).

This was the five-year-old's fifth victory, bringing his earnings to over HK$4,000,000 for his owners The Hon & Mrs Tommy Cheung Yu Yan.

Gold Striker was purchased by now-retired trainer Colin Jillings for NZ$45,000 at the 2003 Karaka Select Sale from Haunui Farm. Firm Offer was purchased by Joe Barnes at the Premier Sale of the same year for NZ$35,000.

The Paul O'Sullivan-trained Medic Power (Bertolini x Quintessence) led a NZB trifecta in the Class 3 Ho Ping Handicap (1200m) crossing the line one-and-a-half lengths ahead of High Point (Spectatorial x Fabulous View), with Egyptian Ra (Woodborough x Egyptian Queen) a further length back in third.

This was the Medic Power's second win from just three starts. He was purchased at the 2005 Select Sale by O'Sullivan's brother Lance, from Kirkwall Thoroughbreds for NZ$45,000.

High Point was also a 2005 Karaka Yearling Sale acquisition this time from the Festival Session by Kevin Myers from Birchwood Farm for NZ$35,000.

Fly Me To The Moon (Fly to the Stars x Village Dancer) only just took out the Class 3 Pok Fu Lam Handicap (1400m) hanging on by a nose from He Can Tango (Faltaat x Cantango).

Bought by Triassic Park from Lyndhurst Farm for NZ$25,000 at the 2004 Karaka Select Sale, Fly Me To The Moon was then sold by Triassic Park at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale of the same year for NZ$75,000.

He Can Tango was plucked by his trainer, Paul O'Sullivan, from the Karaka Select Sale, from Trelawney Stud for NZ$40,000.

It was a memorable night for the sires Bertolini (standing at Rich Hill Stud) and Faltaat (standing at Westbury Stud), both of whom had two winners on the night.

Silent Dragon (Faltaat x Peace of Mind) took out the Class 4 Shek Pin Handicap (1000m) one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Circuit Hero (Chief Bearheart x Star Child) who was having his first race day start.

Silent Dragon was knocked down to the bid of Queensland bloodstock agent John Foote at the 2004 Select Yearling Sale for NZ$72,500 .

Circuit Hero was purchased by Nigel Auret at the same sale from Glenmorgan Farm for NZ$17,500.

Wild Ace (Bertolini x African Sun) took out the Class 4 Shing Mun Handicap (1400m). He was purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock for NZ$12,000 from Kirkwall Thoroughbreds at the 2005 Select Sale.

New Zealand-bred Bajan Bell (Deputy Governor x Culture Shock) completed the roll of honour when he took out the Class 5 Tai Tam Handicap (1400m) a neck ahead of Karaka Select Sale graduate Withallmyheart (Howbaddouwantit x Trapeze).