Success For New Zealand Bloodstock Sale Graduates In Hong Kong

20 February 2003

The run of New Zealand bred winners in Hong Kong continued yesterday with Mr President (Maroof x Irish Blessing) victorious in the class 4 HK$570,000 Percival Handicap at Happy Valley.

Following on from Self Flit's Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile win in the weekend, the four year old son of Maroof scored by a neck over the French bred Super Wongchoy (Brief Truce x Green Sails) with the British horse Treasure Field (Pyramus x Langten Herring) a short head back in third place.

The Laurie Fownes trained Mr President was purchased at the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale by Geoff Lane for NZ$230,000 from the draft of Cambridge Stud. The Maroof gelding is raced by Cheng Chung-wah.

Along with the Percival Handicap win New Zealand bred horses placed in a further six of the remaining seven races.

Elephant Dance (Senor Pete x Zephyr Comet) was a close runner up in the class 2 HK$ 1,000,000 Wong Nai Chung Handicap. The gelding was purchased by Bruce Wallace at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2000 Festival Sale for NZ$16,000 from the draft of Grande Vue Lodge.

Lucky Paradise (Flying Spur x The Essence) ran third in the class 3
HK$ 700,000 Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup, as did Good Heart (Pentire x La Chataigne) in the class 4 HK$570,000 Canal Handicap. Good Heart was purchased by Michael Stedman Bloodstock for NZ$30,000 from the draft of Poplar Lodge at the 2001 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Colts Sale.

Another Maroof gelding to find success at Happy Valley was Quick Step (Maroof x Zanzabelle) who finished second in a class 4 HK$570,000 race.

Continuing the positive performance of New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduates was Shabu Shabu (Marscay x Funny Features), who finished third in the class 3 HK$700,000 Sports Handicap. Shabu Shabu was purchased at the 2001 Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$180,000, from the draft of Westbury Stud.

Also taking home third place honours was Pot Black (Slavic x Chocolate Rough) in the class 5 HK$500,000 Yiu Wa Handicap. Pot Black was bought by Brett McDonald for NZ$14,000 from the draft of Chandon Stud at the 1999 Select Colts Sale.