NZB Weanling Sale Graduate Top Rated in Hong Kong

Karaka Weanling Sale graduate Tuscan Spirit completed a notable hat-trick of victories in Hong Kong on Saturday night, sky rocketing his rating to 102, up 35 points from the start of the 2008/09 season.

The 102 rating makes Tuscan Spirit (Chianti - Fortelo, by Armidale) the highest rated three-year-old in Hong Kong overall, for trainer John Size, and owners George and Suzie Wong.

Tuscan Spirit at Sha Tin     Photo: HKJC

His win in the Class 2 Skol Cup (1000m) confirmed he was on the way to the top grades, and it took his tally to three wins and two placings from five starts in Hong Kong since arriving from Russell Cameron's Pukekohe stable in 2008 after a win at Tauranga.

His rider Douglas Whyte commented on the performance over 1000m, after victories at 1200m on 24 January and 15 February.

"I guess it could have sent him either way dropping back in trip," admitted Whyte."He didn't really get any favours drawing two and having to work across the track, but he was very tractable in himself and I was able to get him across and sit off Blaze King in the run.

"Once I had Blaze King working for me, I didn't think we would be beaten. Criag's Dragon had the last crack at us and laid down his cards but Tuscan Spirit really dug in and won convincingly."

The performance even had Whyte comparing him to fellow John Size trained and NZB graduate Enthused (Centaine - Free as a Bird, by Jugah) who is one of the most improved horses in Hong Kong this season, jumping from Class 1 in 2007/08 to record Group 1 placings in the international Speed Series.

"He is very similar in many ways to Enthused in style," Whyte said. "He has the speed to put himself into his races, he's tough and he digs in when he is challenged."

Tuscan Spirit was bred by enthusiastic Hamilton breeder Chris Luoni and was sold on his behalf through the Te Runga Stud draft at the 2006 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale for $6,750.  With his career earnings now in excess of HK$2 million Tuscan Spirit is proving to be one of the great bargains from the Karaka Weanling Sale.

He was purchased by Hallmark Stud at the Sale and was later re-offered at the 2007 Festival Sale where he was purchased by William Stretton for $40,000.

Tuscan Spirit is from the first crop of resident Te Runga sire Chianti. Chianti was a multiple group performed son of Danehill and brother to Desert King. He commenced stud duties in 2004 at $3,500.

"To have achieved the result of having the best three-year-old in Hong Kong off a $3,500 service fee in your first crop is a significant result," commented Te Runga studmaster Wayne Larsen.

Earlier in the night New Zealand Bloodstock claimed a further two races on the Sha Tin Card.

New Zealand Bloodstock's Weanling, Broodmare, and Mixed Bloodstock Sale will be conducted on 4-6 May.

The catalogue will be online from Wednesday 1 April. 

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