Little Bridge Heads G2 Double for Kiwis at Sha Tin

New Zealand horses had a highly successful night at Sha Tin last evening, winning five events on the 10-race card, with the NZB graduate Little Bridge (NZ) leading a kiwi black-type double in the Group 2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

Ridden by top jockey Gerald Mosse, the Danny Shum trained Little Bridge (Faltaat x Golden Rose) settled fourth in transit to be in a prominent position at the top of the straight. Taking the lead 200 metres from home, the son of Faltaat successfully held off fellow Karaka graduate Entrapment (Halo Homewrecker) to win by three-quarters-of-a-length, giving NZB the race quinella.

"We trained him for the Hong Kong Derby last year," said Shum, "but he wasn't able to get the trip and after the race he was exhausted so we gave him a good long break and he's come back so well.

"This year he looks fantastic and he's been improving race by race. Now I hope we can win the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint in December."

The victory was Little Bridge's seventh from 14 Hong Kong starts and his second at black-type level after winning the HK-3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) in January this year for owner Ko Kam Piu.

Runner-up Entrapment, who has made a remarkable return to the turf from a rare injury, remains on track for a tilt at the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint after winning fresh up and placing in the HK-3 Premier Bowl and last night's Group 2. His impressive record now stands at 10 starts for eight wins and two placings for John Size.

Little Bridge (NZ) holds off Entrapment in the Gr.2 HKJC Sprint in for a NZB black-type quinella. Photo courtesy of the HKJC.

Bred by Llanhennock Trust, Little Bridge was purchased by Margaret Harkema from Wentwood Grange at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2007 National Weanling Sale for $9,000. He has now won HK$7,410,750 (NZ$1,258,716) in stakes for owner Benson Lo Tak Wing.

New Zealand bred horses took a black-type double in the meeting with Thumbs Up (NZ) (Shinko King x Regelle) winning the Group 2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Cup (2000m) for his trainer Casper Fownes. The winner of the HK-1 Hong Kong Classic Mile in 2009 and the HK-3 Mission Hills Sha Tin Trophy late last year, it was the first victory for the seven-year-old over 2000 metres.

Also successful on the card was Benefactor (NZ) (Align x St Cuthberts) who opened the account for the kiwis in the first race, heading a New Zealand trifecta in the Class 4 Tung Chung Handicap (1400m) for trainer Peter Ng. The victory was his second this preparation after winning fresh up two starts back at Happy Valley in September.

Windsor Park Stud's young sire Falkirk capped off a successful week with his progeny taking two wins at the meeting with Solar Great (NZ) (ex Harmonics) claiming the third on the card, the Class 4 Pui Handicap (1200m). It was the four-year-old's first victory in Hong Kong in three starts for trainer Almond Lee.

The NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Fay Fay (NZ) (ex Glamaine) brought up the second win for Falkirk in the Class 2 Chek Lap Kok Handicap (1600m). Trained by John Size, the promising four-year-old is making his way through the grades after a last start win in a Class 3 in mid-October. He boasts solid career figures of six starts for three wins and three placings. Falkirk also sired Best City (NZ) who ran third in the race.

Falkirk had a very successful NZB Ready to Run Sale last week with his progeny averaging over $88,000 for seven two-year-olds sold, putting him in the top six sires by average in the Sale. His top priced lot, the half-brother to the Group 2 winner Centennial Park (Thorn Park) and Group 3 winner Ballack (Montjeu) (Lot 348), was purchased by George Moore for $220,000 for Hong Kong interests.