NZB Grads Resume Winning Ways in Hong Kong

It was a good omen for New Zealand horses at Sha Tin yesterday, with Kiwi-bred Brave Commander the first winner home of the 2006-07 Hong Kong racing season, and Karaka sale graduate Town of Fionn claiming the feature event of the night.

Winning four of the ten races on the card, the highlight came with a New Zealand Bloodstock graduate quinella in the feature event, the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (1200m). Karaka Ready to Run Sale graduate, Town of Fionn (Snippets x Ballyfin), produced a barnstorming finish, exponentially lengthening his stride for jockey Robbie Fradd to gun down the leaders and record his seventh career win after a two year break from the winners circle.

�Town of Fionn winning the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (1200m)

Bought by Michael Stedman for NZ$50,000 from Lyndhurst Farm, the Danny Shum trained gelding was the trainer's first for the new season.

In second place was Ray Coupland's NZ$60,000 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale purchase: the ultra-consistent Tony Cruz trained Regency Horse (Stravinsky x Rivertaine).

In Race 1, it was Brave Commander (Gold Brose x Audrey Rose) who gave trainer Tony Cruz a winning start to the season with the first of his three wins on the day when he won the Class 5 Hung Hom Handicap (1400m).

Bred by Westbury Stud principal, Russel Warwick, Brave Commander is another purchase by Michael Stedman, this time at the 2001 Karaka Select Colt Sale for NZ$60,000. Entered in the up-coming Karaka Ready to Run Sale is a brother to Brave Commander by Totara Park Stud's Drama Critic.

Race 5 saw a New Zealand bred trifecta complete the Class 4 Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap (1600m). The Geoff and Gayle Levick bred Flying Bishop (Deputy Governor x Healy Ridge) emerged the decisive victor with Maverick (Volksraad x Kape Dancer) second and Travel Leader (Danske x Platinum Blonde) third.

Bryce Tankard purchased Flying Bishop at the 2000 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$37,500. Maverick, bred by Cambridge Vet, Jonathan Hope, was bought by New Zealand Bloodstock from Trelawney Stud's 2004 Premier Yearling Sale draft for NZ$100,000. A full sister to Maverick is entered for in next year's National Yearling Sales Series under Lyndhurst Farm's draft.

Travel Leader was a NZ$57,500 purchase by Truffle Downs at the 2002 Karaka Premier Sale from his breeders Windsor Park Stud.

Race 4, the Class 4 Quarry Bay Handicap (1400m), saw the Me Tsui trained Fat Dragon (O'Reilly x Our Big Bird) ridden by David Whyte continue his winning streak for his third consecutive win. Stuart Hale bought Fat Dragon from Little Avondale Stud's draft at the 2002 Karaka Select Colts Sale for NZ$100,000. The Vicky and Terry Pascoe bred Solar Power (Bahhare x Kate Shepherd) was third.

Six other New Zealand bred horses recorded placings on the day including Liberal's Ride (Catbird x Fledged), Good View Success (Danske x Eartha), Win Again (Mellifont x Goodness Me), Egyptian Ra (Woodborough x Egyptian Queen), Ocean Tranquil (Align x Crystal Jet) and Good Profit (Haayil x Saving Grace).