Reliable Team (NZ) Claims Jockey Club Cup

Completing a super Sunday at Sha Tin for graduates of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man) hit a career-high with victory in the HK$4.75m Group Two BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). 

Bought by Upper Bloodstock for $430,000 from the 2017 draft of Phoenix Park, Reliable Team has now won seven of his 28 starts and earned over HK$12.7 million in stakes – more than five times his purchase price at Karaka.

Reliable Team’s victory came less than an hour after champion Ready to Run Sale graduate Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) resumed on a triumphant note in the HK$4.75m Group Two BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m). Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) was taken out by the Kiwi-bred sprinter Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca), meaning all three Sha Tin features were won by horses bred or sourced in New Zealand.

Reliable Team was ridden by Derek Leung on Sunday for trainer Frankie Lor, and he dominated the race from the front. Challengers lined up to take their shot at him at the top of the straight, but Reliable Team kicked hard and refused to surrender his advantage.

Ka Ying Star (Cityscape) went into full flight in the last 150 metres and closed strongly, but Reliable Team dug deep and held him out by a neck.

“We were always going to get him to lead in the race, and the horse was quite relaxed and he’s very fit,” Leung said.

“Step by step, we built the speed up. He responded very well. The other horses didn’t give us any pressure, so we saved some strength for the last quarter (400m). I think he’ll be even better over 2400 metres.”

Lor has entered Reliable Team for two showpiece events during next month’s Longines International Races on December 12 – the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Group One Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

“I entered him in both, but I think 2400 metres should be better for him,” Lor said. “We need to keep the horse in good form, and then we’ll see.”

Reliable Team is a son of four-race-winning mare Stella Doro (NZ) (Faltaat), who has been a prolific broodmare with six winners from only eight foals to race.