Ambitious Dragon & Entrapment Exceptional

Just how good is Ambitious Dragon? It is a question that many will be asking themselves after Saturday night as Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year made an unbelievable return to the track in the HK-3 National Day Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.

One of the most exciting horses on the Hong Kong circuit, Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins x Golden Gamble) made his return with trainer Tony Millard declaring him "nowhere near his peak," but his performance was nothing short of exceptional.

Showing his trademark turn-of-foot from the back of the field, the son of Pins thrashed some true 1400 metre specialists by two-and-half-lengths lengths without even being touched by the whip.

All class, Ambitious Dragon (NZ) romps home in the HK-3 National Day Cup. Photo courtesy of the HKJC

"He's improved," said Millard. "He's actually improved. I thought he might run third or fourth, and I'd have been very pleased with that because this was just the start of his preparation for the international meeting in December. But to beat horses like that ridden hands and heels was just unbelievable. That was something to behold."

The comment will come as a shock to those looking to take on the son of Pins this season, considering that the horse was already far superior to most least season when winning the HK-1 Classic Cup, HK-1 Hong Kong Derby and Group 1 QE II Cup.

Ridden by his regular jockey Douglas Whyte, he was quick to label Ambitious Dragon as one of the best horses he has ever ridden.

"We were about three quarters back and he was very, very comfortable. Then I just gave him a squeeze and he ran past them so quickly it was incredible. He is the most amazing horse to ride. This is the sort of horse you dream about all your life. It's just beautiful."

Bred by Mr Pat Lowry, Ambitious Dragon was offered by Belvedere Farm at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale and has won eight of his 13 starts for over NZ$4 million. His half-brother by High Chaparral was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $420,000 from Belvedere Farm at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.

Running into third was the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash (NZ) (Golan x Wychwood Rose). Last season's Champion Miler in Hong Kong, the Karaka graduate has been a headline performer in Hong Kong, also taking victories in the HK-1 Stewards Cup and HK-1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup last season for trainer Tony Cruz.

Entrapment makes it a clean sweep for Karaka graduates in the HK-3 Sha Tin Sprint Trophy. Photo courtesy of the HKJC

A horse that was the first to reach seven wins in a Hong Kong season in 2009/10, just a season before Ambitious Dragon achieved the feat, the Karaka graduate Entrapment (Halo Homewrecker x Miabondialee) has made a memorable return to the track after recovering from a career threatening injury in the HK-3 Sha Tin Sprint Trophy (1000m).

Trained by John Size, Entrapment has spent more than a year on the side-lines with a neurological injury so rare, there was no medical name to describe it.

Coming into the race, his jockey Douglas Whyte, who notched-up a stakes winning double with the win and rode four winners in the meeting, said that he would have to be a champion to win his track return, considering his company in the race.

But the five-year-old showed that his time away has taken none of his ability as he defeated the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, and last year's winner of the race in Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago). Remarkably, against all odds, Entrapment remains unbeaten in eight career starts, with Saturdays' race his first win at stakes level.

"I can't think of two horses I've ridden who have been more memorable," said Whyte after Entrapment's victory, "especially coming back from a break like that. These are the horses you dream about."

Raced by Benson Lo Tak Wing, Entrapment was bred by Mr T Lillis and was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock from Seaton Park at the 2008 Carnival Sale for $45,000. He has now won over NZ$930,000.