Outstanding Four Quinellas for NZ in HK

On the back of a sensational day at Caulfield, New Zealand horses had another fantastic weekend in Hong Kong, winning six of the ten races including the two major races of the day. The six wins included an extraordinary four quinellas by the NZ-breds.

2004 Ready to Run Sale graduate, All's Well (City On A Hill x Alot Of Music) became the first NZ victory of the meeting with his win in the Class 4 Glycel Handicap (1000m). Sold by Mission Farm for NZ$40,000, he has now had three starts for two wins and a second. In second place was four year old Karaka Select Sale graduate, Jiang Jun (Danske x Carol Singer), who was having his first start in Hong Kong. He was bought for NZ$34,000 by Chris Wood from Esker Lodge.

Million Success (Kilimanjaro x Assuage) followed with a win in the Class 4 Elizabeth Arden Handicap (2000m) in Race 3. He was bought by NZ bloodstock agent, Robbie Hewittson for NZ$10,000 at the 2003 Autumn Yearling Sale at Karaka. Second placegetter, Members Glory (Deputy Governor x Miss Tris) was purchased at the 2000 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$32,500 by Alan and Linda Jones.

Race 5 saw Master Able (Woodman x Newsmaker) head the third New Zealand bred quinella with a win in the Class 4 La Colline Handicap (1600m). Second was Gold Sanfield (Carolinigan x Miss Poole). Master Able was sold by Wellfield Thoroughbreds at the 2002 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale to Bruce Wallace.

Race 6 on the card, the Class 4 Suisse Program Handicap (1400m), was the fourth New Zealand bred quinella and a victory for Windsor Park Stud shuttler, Montjeu. New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale graduate, Prime Delight (Montjeu x Madonna) was sold by Mapperley Stud for NZ$280,000. Second was Kowloon Fit, another good performer in Hong Kong for Little Avondale Stud's resident sire, Towkay.

The Tony Cruz trained Willie Detroy (Zabeel x Better Succeed), formerly racing in New Zealand as Cheval de Troy, lived up to the hype surrounding his progress in Hong Kong with an impressive first start win in the Class 1 The Sa Sa Ladies Purse (1800m). New Zealand bloodstock agent, Stuart Hale, bought the four year from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2003 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$400,000.

The final win for New Zealand horses on the night came in the Hong Kong Group 3 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m). Winner, Best Gift (Bahhare x Shock Attack), remains unplaced on only four occasions.