Kiwi Horses Victorious At Hong Kong's Happy Valley

New Zealand was once again well represented in the winners circle at Happy Valley in Hong Kong last night, with two of the eight races won by Kiwi horses.

The talented four year old Sagacious (NZ) (Housebuster x Wonder Belle) looks to be coming back to form after an enforced seven month layoff from racing, with a convincing win in the HK$700,000 St George's Challenge Cup (Class 3, 1650m). Sagacious defeated King of Fish (US) (Rahy x Gentle and Bold) by an easy one and three quarter lengths with the Australian runner Bueno Bueno (AUS) (St Covet x Sabines) a further three quarters of a length back in third place.

The Laurie Fownes trained Housebuster gelding has now amassed a record of three wins and four placings from eleven race day starts.

Sagacious was purchased at the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale by Apollo Ng for $170,000 from the Ra-Ora Haunui Partnership draft.

Keeping up the recent winning streak of Gold Brose's progeny was Mission Possible (NZ) (Gold Brose x Nyealle), the winner of the $HK500,000 Drake Handicap (Class 5, 1650m). The five year old held on to defeat Best Ever (AUS) (Spectrum x Lady Abbess) by three quarters of a length, with fellow kiwi Oh Great (NZ) (Entrepreneur x Impassion) running home well to take third.

Another eye catching run by a New Zealand horse was the performance of Xlerate (NZ) (Zabeel x Very Gilded) in his first attempt at a Class 2 race, the HK$1,000,000 Churchill Handicap (2200m), in which he flashed home from the back of the field to grab second to the older and more experienced Snowstorm (GB) (Environment Friend x Choral Sundown).

The John Moore trained Xlerate looks like a nice stayer in the making, having put together a tidy record of three wins and three placings from just eight starts. The Zabeel three year old appears to be a promising prospect for next season's Group 1 Hong Kong Derby.

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

New Zealand Bloodstock's Autumn Yearling and Autumn 2 Year Old Sales, including a Breeze Up session, are coming up on Friday 9th May.

Breeze Up footage can be viewed at www.nzb.co.nz, while Breeze Up Videos and CD-Roms can be ordered by contacting Taryn at New Zealand Bloodstock on +64 (0) 9 298 0055 or by emailing taryn@nzb.co.nz.