Group 1 Double for NZB Graduates

New Zealand horses produced impressive results at the weekend, highlighted by an outstanding Group 1 double by NZB graduates.

In Hong Kong, local hero Vengeance of Rain (Zabeel x Danelagh) continued his winning streak with a win in the prestigious Group 1 Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday night. This completes the fifth consecutive win and third Group 1 victory of the season for the David Ferraris-trained horse. Ferraris summed up by saying that "this is my greatest achievement & he is the greatest horse I will ever throw a saddle over."

Fellow New Zealand performer Best Gift (Bahhare x Shock Attack) completed a New Zealand bred quinella coming in second just half a length behind Vengeance of Rain. Vengeance of Rain was sold by Cambridge Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for $300,000 to Rogerson Bloodstock.

In Australia, Perlin (Carnegie x Midnight Madam) displayed an exciting performance to win the Group 1 XXXX Gold Doomben Cup WFA Double (2200m). Perlin was a successful pinhook from the Karaka sale ring as yearling for $85,000 and then went on to be sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for $200,000 to prominent owner, Lloyd Williams.

Other Results:

New Zealand

Twinkling (Star Way x Limitless) won Auckland Racing Club's Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes (1200m) with fantastic pin-hooked colt, Captain Kurt (Volksraad x O'Sequita) and Missy Elliott (Magic of Sydney x Fiorino) rounding off the placings. Twinkling was a $60,000 purchase by Mr Rod Ancell from Rodmor Stud's 2004 Select Sale draft while at the same sale Captain Kurt was purchased as a pin-hooking opportunity by Mr David Howarth for $35,000. He was then sold at the 2004 Ready to Run Sale, where he was purchased by Jim Marks for $140,000. Missy Elliot came from the Grand Vue Lodge draft at the 2003 National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale, purchased for $3,400 by Stanton Thoroughbreds.

Australia

Activation (Zabeel x Coogee Walk) won the Listed Triple M Rough Habit 3YO Plate (2020m) ahead of Eremein (Timber Country x Marrego) and Roving Owl (Volksraad x Platinum Blond). Roving Owl was part of Halo Bloodstock's draft at the 2003 Ready to Run Sale, he sold to Mr Noel Mayfield-Smith for $100,000.

Hong Kong

Hip Hip Hooray (Tale of the Cat x Triassic) won the Class 3 Elderly & Youth Handicap. He was from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2002 Premier Sale, selling for $140,000. Regency Horse (Stravinsky x Rivertaine), a $60,000 graduate of the 2003 Premier sale from Little Avondale Stud, ran second.

Time Supreme (O'Reilly x Brilliant Victory) convincingly won the Class 4 Medical Handicap (1800m) ahead of Jubiloso (Cape Cross x Endless Joy). Time Supreme sold in the 2003 Select sale for $12,500 and was pin-hooked by Mr Chris Hausman to the 2003 Ready to Run Sale where he sold for $105,000 to Michael Stedman Bloodstock. Jubiloso was sold for $75,000 from the 2003 Premier draft of Lyndhurst Farm.

Romantic Winner (Bijou D'Inde x Neutron Dancer) won the Class 4 Education and Training Handicap (1200m). Romantic Winner was sold at the 2003 Select Sale for $17,000 to Stonebridge Farm.