Super Seven for NZB in Hong Kong
1 March 2010
Yesterday's Group 1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup night in Hong Kong saw am impressive seven races going the way of New Zealand Bloodstock graduates.
The highlight of the night for the kiwis was undoubtedly the sixth straight win for Brave Kid (Elusive City x Gordon's, by Kaapstad) who remained unbeaten after carrying 60.5kg to victory in the Step-Up Interest Account (1800m).
� |
| �Brave Kid's sire Elusive City |
The John Size trained galloper showed his mettle in what looked to be a perfect Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) lead-up. Demonstrating his aptitude to tackle 2000m, Brave Kid was positioned in fifth place, one off the fence, by Douglas Whyte who chose to settle off a break-neck pace set by Deposer (Kheleyf).
The pace ensured the contest would go to the best stayer and Brave Kid came out on top after rolling strongly into the race and letting down to win by half a length from Above All (Dehere).
Brave Kid has earnings in excess of HK$3,400,000 for owners Mr and Mrs Matthew Lam Kin Hong who can now look forward to the HK$16,000,000Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby on 14 March.
Brave Kid was offered by Rodmor Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale where he represented the second crop of Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City. On the back of recent success, which included Brave Kid, Elusive City produced fireworks at Karaka 2010, averaging $77,000, with a top price of $260,000 paid for Lot 221, a half-brother to Group 1 Cox Plate winner So You Think (High Chaparral) who went to the bid of leading Victorian trainer Danny O'Brien.
John Size and Douglas Whyte also combined to see another Karaka graduate win at Sha Tin last night, when three-year-old Entrapment (Halo Homewrecker x Miabondialee, by Vettori) won at Class 3 level over 1200m.
Picked by renowned judge John Foote at the 2008 Karaka Carnival Yearling Sale for $45,000 from Seaton Park, this was Entrapment's second win from just two career starts. �He looks to have a bright future for owner Benson Lo Tak Wing with HK$840,000 already in the bank.
Another with a bright future is St Didar (Keeper x Jazzmatazz, by Citidancer) who at $300,000 was the fourth top lot at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Ready to Run Sale. �There he was bought by Chris McAnulty on behalf of Richard Hui Chung Yee from Phoenix Park.
Now trained by David Ferraris, St Didar won on debut over 1000m in Hong Kong this season before placing twice at 1200m. Dropping back to 1000m last night St Didar got back to the winners' circle by half a length to take his earnings close to HK$1,000,000.
Highlighting the success of the 2008 Sale, amongst the other top ten lots is Group 2 placed King Raedwald (Red Ransom), a leading Group 1 NZ Derby contender, Group 1 placed juvenile St Fevre (Dehere), and the Lloyd Williams Stable's last start Group 2 winner Linton (Galileo).
Full list of NZB winners at Sha Tin last night:
| Horse | Breeding | Race | Sale, Price | Vendor | Trainer | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabina | Keeper x J'abeel | Class 5 (1800m) | K2, $52,500 | Cambridge Stud | Almond Lee | Richard Yuill |
| St Didar | Keeper x Jazzmatazz | Class 4 (1000m) | RTR, $300,000 | Phoenix Park | David Ferraris | Chris McAnulty |
| Forest Star | Pins x Ever Clever | Class 4 (1200m) | K1, $130,000 | Waikato Stud | Tony Cruz | HKJC |
| Entrapment | Halo Homewrecker x Miabondialee | Class 3 (1200m) | Carn, $45,000 | Seaton Park | John Size | John Foote |
| Eight Plus Nine | Al Akbar x Mnemonic | Class 4 (1400m) | K3, $10,500 | Grangewilliam Stud | Almond Lee | J Heasley |
| Brave Kid | Elusive City x Gordon's� | Class 1 (1800m) | K1, Psd | Rodmor Stud | John Size | Not Applicable |
| Master Elite | Van Nistelrooy x Pageant | Class 3 (1600m) | K1, $90,000 | Fairdale Stud | Michael Chang | Michael Chang |