Five-year-old Van Nistelrooy mare, Boundless, a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Yearling Sale, won her second Group race this month when carrying second top-weight to victory in the Group 2 DHL Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday.

The 2009 Counties Cup field saw 11 of the 16 horse field carry below 54kg which immediately told a story of numerous dangerous light-weight up and coming stayers who would prove hard to beat in the $125,000 event.

�

�Boundless (inside) wins the 2008 Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

Stephen McKee's Boundless (Van Nistelrooy x Nothing Less, by Star Way) was asked to carry 56kg over the 2100m after a last start victory in the weight-for-age Group 3 Nicholas Feuillatte Stakes (2000m) also contested at Pukekohe Park.

A Group 1 NZ Oaks winner, Boundless's ability saw her contest both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup this time last season, and that recommendation, along with her return to form, saw her start a $4.80 favourite in the Counties Cup after drawing well in barrier 4.

Top hoop Leith Innes was aboard and made sure Boundless enjoyed the perfect spot in transit, sitting just off the pace with cover.

Into the home turn it was clear Boundless was going to offer plenty as she quickly drew up alongside the leaders and then kicked away with only second placed Fiorano (Kaapstad) making any headway into her lead in the final 200m.

Boundless had won by a neck in 2.09.34 and completed a notable double for the Stephen McKee stable who had picked up the other Group 2 feature on the program, the NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes, with Culminate.

Boundless is owned by McKee's father Trevor, who purchased her for $80,000 from Trelawney Stud, along with PA Dallimore, P Miller and Mrs Cherry Taylor.

Having now earned close to $1,000,000 in prize-money, Boundless now takes aim at the Group 2 Wellington Cup in January, and the Group 1 $1,000,000 Auckland Cup in March.

�

Hong Kong

On a big night of International Trials at Sha Tin last night, New Zealand-breds claimed four races on the ten-race card.

David Hall and Tony Cruz both won races on the card with New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale graduates, Hall with Legend (Deputy Governor x Goodness Me, by Kings Island) and Cruz with Chief Witness (Cape Cross x Ultra Vain, by Truly Vain).

Legend won his second consecutive race in Hong Kong this season when claiming the Class 3 Mui Wo Handicap by a length and a half to take his earnings to over HK$2,000,000 (NZ$350,000). Not bad considering he was purchased by Argentinian-based company Bullrich and Co for $70,000 from Soliloquy Lodge in 2006.

Chief Witness was purchased at the very same sale by Kevin Myers for $45,000 from Hallmark Properties. Having won two of his last three starts, Chief Witness took his earnings over HK$1,000,000 (NZ$175,000)�when winning the Class 4 Sha Lo Wan Handicap by a nose.

The highlight of the night was the Group 2 International Mile Trial victory by NZ-bred Fellowship when beating the likes of fellow NZ-bred Sight Winner and one-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Good Ba Ba.

The win is the most important in Fellowship's career thus far with his earnings from eight wins in Hong Kong equating to HK$10,800,000 (NZ$1,900,000).

With a successful conclusion to New Zealand Bloodstock's 2009 Ready to Run Sale, all attention now focuses on the National Yearling Sales Series which will be held at Karaka from 1 - 8 February.

Hard copy catalogues will be available from 1 December.

For more information contact reception@nzb.co.nz.