Hong Kong venture a dream come true

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Michael Pitman will realise a long-held ambition to compete on the international stage when he travels to Hong Kong with his Champions’ Day contender and dual Group 1 winner Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa).

It will be the racing trip of a lifetime for the Riccarton horseman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew, and a tick alongside an entry at the head of his bucket list.

Pitman put out a feeler for an invitation to the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, to be run at Sha Tin on April 28, after Enzo’s Lad had successfully defended his G1 Telegraph title at Trentham in January.

Michael Pitman

“We actually got asked about it after he won the Telegraph last year, but I still thought he was a year away from his very best form,” he said.

“We actually got asked about it after he won the Telegraph last year, but I still thought he was a year away from his very best form.” – Michael Pitman.

“I spoke to Mark Player, who’s in charge of the international invites, after the horse won his second Telegraph and it was confirmed.

“The owner gets two return business class tickets, the trainer gets two and two staff. Everything is paid for and then there are all the functions we get chauffeured to. We’re all really looking forward to it.

“At this stage, a lot of the others owners and their friends are all going up there as well so there’ll be plenty of support.”

Making the venture all the more special for Pitman is that he selected and purchased Enzo’s Lad from the bottom end of the market and is a part-owner.

“At this stage, a lot of the others owners and their friends are all going up there as well so there’ll be plenty of support.” – Michael Pitman.

Dual Group 1 winner Enzo’s Lad heads to Hong Kong

The sprinter was a $15,000 buy at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale where another two astute purchases were also made.

“I bought Montoya Star, who’s by High Chaparral out of a Cape Cross mare, for $20,000 and Mr Typhon for $10,000. He’s by Redoute’s Choice out of an Oasis Dream mare,” Pitman said.

Both have been prolific for the stable with Montoya Star having won nine races, including the G3 Cuddle S. and Mr Typhon is a six-time winner and stakes placed.

“We’ve had a lot of success and with never a lot of money to spend,” Pitman said.

“We had to buy the horse and not the pedigree, but having said that Redoute’s Choice, High Chaparral and Testa Rossa aren’t exactly poor.”

“We’ve had a lot of success and with never a lot of money to spend.” – Michael Pitman.

Enzo's Lad

Enzo’s Lad, who was offered by Queensland’s Royston Stud, is out of the winning Catbird mare Sheerama and she is a half-sister to the G2 Schillaci S. winner Patpong (Royal Academy {USA}).

Their dam Rouquin (Paris Prince {USA}) won the Listed Reginal Allen Quality and ran second in the G1 One Thousand Guineas and third in the G1 Flight S.

When Enzo’s Lad retained his Telegraph title, he became the first horse since the outstanding sprinter Mr Tiz (Bletchingly) to complete a back to back double in the race.

The 6-year-old will round off his Hong Kong preparation with a run in an open sprint on his home track this weekend.

“He’s going to get 63.5kg so apprentice Kavish Chowdhoory will be on him and he’s riding well,” Pitman said.

“He’s a push-button horse who goes forward and that helps. He’s not a difficult horse to ride.” – Michael Pitman.

“It’s going to be a big task as we could be giving away 10, 11 or 12 kilos to those on the minimum if they claim, but it’s not the be all and end all.

“We’re there to win if we can and I just wanted to give him one run before we go. He’s a big, strong unit but he doesn’t take a lot, that’s just the way he is.”

Pitman has also tentatively reached out for a rider for the Sha Tin feature, but is taking a relaxed view.

“I have approached Hugh Bowman’s manager, but I’m not worried about a jockey,” he said. “All the very best will be there.

“He’s a push-button horse who goes forward and that helps. He’s not a difficult horse to ride.”