Derby Weekend Sees Victory For Nz Runners In Hong Kong

Following the success of previous weeks, kiwi runners continued to be competitive on the track at Sha Tin on the weekend.

The HK$14 million Hong Kong Derby was the highlight of Hong Kong's racing weekend and the two NZ bred representatives proved highly competitive. Self Flit (Cicerao x Pretext) chased home eventual winner and race favourite Elegant Fashion (Danewin x Wily Trick) for second place, with Beverly Green (Indian Ridge x Masawa) taking home third and another kiwi runner Gift (Danasinga x Happy Belle) also competitive, finishing in fourth position.

Success for the kiwis started earlier in the day with Successful Spirit (Centaine x Sound Lover) taking out the HK$570,000 Holy Grail Handicap (Class 4, 1600m) from Dongguan Excels (Danehill x Max's Sister) and Shanghai Friend (Danehill x Butter Knife).

Successful Spirit was purchased at the 1999 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $160,000 by New Zealand Bloodstock acting on behalf of a Hong Kong buyer. He was sold through the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

Another New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduate Xlerate (Zabeel x Very Gilded) also took first place honours on Saturday taking out the HK$700,000 Makarpura Star Handicap (Class 3, 2200m) from second placed Claws of Thunder (Polish Precedent x Gaily Grecian) and third placegetter Deep Purple (Spectrum x Seraphic).

Xlerate was purchased by Gary Moore Racing at the 2001 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $650,000. He was sold through the draft of Cambridge Stud.

The first and last races on the card also saw two NZ bred runners feature in the finish. In race one, the HK$570,000 Helene Star Handicap (Class 4, 1200m) Taking the Lead (Danehill x Gimmick) came home a length behind winner Porter Ricks (Dolphin Street x Hostess) and second placed Flash Harry (Danehill x Mahabba) to finish in third position.

Taking the Lead was purchased at the 2001 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $450,000 by New Zealand Bloodstock acting on behalf of a Hong Kong Buyer. He was sold through the draft of Cambridge Stud.

Lining up in the final race of the day was NZ bred runner Danamite (Danasinga x Imposing Choice). The five year old raced home for third place, half a length behind winner Clement Supreme (Dolphin Street x Trek) and second placed Magnifier (Dolphin Street x Hidden Lake) in the HK$1,600,000 Oriental Express Handicap (Class 1, 1600m).