Roger James's successful winter carnival continued on Saturday at Ipswich when Hasta La Ciao Ciao (Unbridled's Song x Ester Kelly) won the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) in race record time.

Bred by Jim Campin of Chequers Stud the six time winner was purchased by Mark Maronde at the 2002 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$170,000.

Also winning easily in Listed company at Ipswich was promising stayer, Sphenophyta (Groom Dancer x Ballermoss). Owned by Mark Goodwin and his trainer Richard Otto, he put two lengths between himself and the rest of the field to win the XXXX Gold Ipswich Cup (2150m) and justify a preparation aimed at this year's Melbourne Cup.

He was offered for sale by Curraghmore Stud 2002 Karaka Select Yearling Sale.

Bear Macho Stakes Claim For Champion Griffin in Hong Kong

New Zealand bred two-year-old, Bear Macho (Minardi x Paklani Princess) produced a second career victory, when scoring a narrow win over Money Man and Inspiration in the Class 1 Juvenile Sprint Trophy (1200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Bred by Mike Tololi's Karaka Group, the son of Minardi was always prominent, tracking the leaders before rider Anthony Delpech forced his way between runners in the straight and proving too strong for his rivals. The David Ferraris trained runner has now won two of his three starts after over-racing when 4th on debut and must be in contention for the title of Champion Griffin this season.

New Zealand Bloodstock Graduates accounted for a further two victories on the Sha Tin programme.

Five-year-old gelding Fat Dragon (O'Reilly x Our Big Bird) made it successive victories since switching to the Me Tsui stable, successful in the Class 4 Pat Sin Leng Handicap (1400m).

Bred by Masterton's John Worley, the son of O'Reilly was purchased by Stuart Hale at the 2002 Karaka Select Colts Sale for NZ$100,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

The David Hall trained Spinning City (Spinning World x Futile) recorded a well deserved victory in the Class 3 Members Cup (1200m).

Bred by Deborah Ho, the consistent six-year-old was sold by Trelawney Stud at the 2001 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$60,000.