NZB Claims Half in Hong Kong
22 December 2009
On Saturday night at Sha Tin, half the racecard went the way of the Kiwis, with New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduates claiming five winners on the ten-race card, including the feature Gome Cup (1400m).
Amigo Wins Gome Cup
Raced as Kabalevsky in New Zealand from the Stephen Marsh stable, Amigo (Giant's Causeway x Lucrative Dame, by Zeditave) scored by seven lengths in his NZ debut at Waverly over 1200m before finding his way to the Michael Chang stable in Hong Kong.
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| �Amigo flashes down the outside in the Gome Cup �photo: HKJC |
A notable strong finisher, Amigo scored on debut in Hong Kong from what seemed an impossible position on the home turn. Amigo came so far wide in the home straight that he was missed by the camera man completely, only coming into view when running past all rivals in the final 50 metres.
The HK$1,150,000 Gome Cup on Saturday drew a field of 14 and Amigo, ridden by Jeff Lloyd, was asked to sit three wide in transit with cover.
Into the home straight Amigo found himself wide again, with the benefit being that he could find his full stride in plenty of space and on Saturday his stretch proved superior for a second time in Hong Kong.
Amigo was purchased by Michael Chang for $170,000 from Curraghmore Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale. The son of the 'iron-horse' Giant's Causeway and stakes-placed mare Lucrative Dame has now won HK$1,500,000 for his owners the Michael Chang Syndicate.
Curraghmore Stud will present 31 yearlings at Karaka Premier 2010 including yearlings by Zabeel, Encosta De Lago, Redoute's Choice, Flying Spur, Dansili, Fastnet Rock, Stravinsky, Darci Brahama, Dehere, Charge Forward, Rock of Gibraltar, Royal�Academy, and Fusaichi Pegasus.�
Brave Kid
Elusive City seems to have produced a very smart gelding in the form of the John Size trained Brave Kid (ex Gordons, by Kaapstad).
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| �Elusive City |
Now the winner of two races from just the two starts, Brave Kid drew wide on Saturday, sat back, then flew past his rivals to claim victory in the Hisense Handicap (1400m) with Douglas Whyte aboard.
His victory by a neck was most impressive given the fact he was bumped severely and carted wide on the home turn by runners inside him.
The four-year-old son of Group 2 Hawke's Bay Cup winner Gordon's knuckled down in the final 300m and looks a very capable type.
Brave Kid was offered by Rodmor Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale and he has now won HK$840,000 for his owners Mr and Mrs Matthew Lam Kin Hong.
Haunui Farm's Elusive City has sired quality racing stock in both hemispheres including Group 1 French 1000 Guineas winner Elusive Wave and in New Zealand last season's Listed Ryder Stakes winner Lamington Vegas.
The Group 1 winning juvenile is represented by 37 yearlings (Premier, Select, and Festival) at the 2010 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka in February.
These include Premier colts:
Lot 155 - Elusive City x Shahiid (Pentire) - Little Avondale Stud
��������� Out of a full-sister to New Zealand's 2006/07 Champion Stayer Pentathon who won a New Zealand Cup and placed in both the Group 1 Sydney and Group 1 Doomben Cups.
Lot 221 - Elusive City x Triassic (Tights) - Windsor Park Stud
��������� From Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic winner Triassic, this colt is a half-brother to this season's Group 1 Cox Plate winner, sensational three-year-old So You Think (High Chaparral).
Lot 241 - Elusive City x Woodini (Woodman) - Te Mania Thoroughbreds
��������� This colt is a half-brother to Group 3 Wonderful World Stakes winner Millbank (Keeper).
Other NZB graduates to win in Hong Kong include:
| Horse | Breeding | Race | Sale, Price | Vendor | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Damper | Stravinsky x New Brew | Class 4 (1000m) | K2, $95,000 | Seaton Park | Ricky Yiu |
| Super Family | Lord of Warriors x Floresta | Class 5 (1400m) | SI, $16,000 | Selwyn River Stud | Yu Yan Yung |
| Moonglow | Colombia x Kings Bride | Class 4 (1400m) | K3, $10,000 | Paramount Lodge | Graeme Rogerson |