Ambitious Dragon (NZ) Shows His Champion Qualities

The staunch rivalry between Karaka graduates Ambitious Dragon and Glorious Days continued last night at Sha Tin in the HK-1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and it was Ambitious Dragon (NZ) who claimed victory in a stunning display of talent.

Coming into the race it was two wins a piece for Glorious Days (Hussonet) and Ambitious Dragon (Pins x Golden Gamble) this season, with the pair meeting at every start, but last night all honours lay with the dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year.

Ambitious Dragon has now won over $8.8 million. Photo courtesy of the HKJC

Ambitious Dragon won the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December last year before finishing an uncharacteristic fourth to Glorious Days at his last start in the HK-1 Stewards' Cup in January but last night saw him make a stunning return to the track after a short break.

The Tony Millard trained son of Pins raced at the back of the field under jockey Zac Purton and tracked Glorious Days into the straight where he put the race beyond doubt, using his acceleration to race away to a convincing 2.5 length win with Glorious Days finishing third.

“He’ll definitely go for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,” said Millard. “As long as I can keep him fresh and train him as I would like, he’ll run a big race in the QEII. 

“You can disregard his last race, he got a bash around the turn and when he came out of that he didn’t want to run so he was out of work for a few days, which for him was an issue.

“Today he got the ideal run, the pace was on and he showed us what a champion he is. You can’t describe how that feels because a lot goes into it.”

The six-year-old continues to thrill Hong Kong racing fans with his outstanding ability and last night saw him race to his 13th win from 25 starts for his owners Johnson Lam Pui Hung & Anderson Lam Hin Yue, taking his stakes to over $8.8 million.

Bred by Pat Lowry, Ambitious Dragon was offered by Belvedere Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2008 Karaka Select Sale.