Written by Alan Carasso
In this new series, we take a look at Australasian-bred horses down to make their initial starts in Hong Kong--horses either unraced (PPG-privately purchased griffins) or previously raced in Australia and New Zealand (PP-private purchases) – in addition to progressive horses returning from a spell.
The horses listed below have been selected based on notable pedigrees, sales history and/or previous racetrack performances. It’s a Saturday program this weekend at Sha Tin, one which features the local debut of the sales-topper from the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
R5-Ho Sheung Heung H. (C4), HK$967k (AU$180k), 1200m
Undefeated
(g, 4, Shamus Award x Attractive {NZ}, by Zabeel {NZ})
An $185,000 purchase out of the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Undefeated is out of a daughter of the New Zealand stakes placed Cat Shmea (NZ) (Felix the Cat {USA}), the dam of G1 Goodwood H. hero Velocitea (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}); the stakes winning Weaponry (NZ) (Declaration of War {USA}); and the multiple group placed Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), whose daughter Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) took out the G1 Manikato S. in October.
Undefeated as a yearling
Breeder: B 2 B Bloodstock (NSW)
Consignor: Newhaven Park, agent
Purchaser: K Cheung/Blossom Breeding
R8-Long Valley H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$270k), 1000m
Copartner Spirit (ex Advancing)
(g, 4, I Am Invincible x You’re Discreet, by Elusive Quality {USA})
Copartner Spirit is the first produce from his dam, a daughter of Group 3 winner She’s Discreet (Euclase), making her an own sister to the multiple Listed winning and multiple group placed I’m Discreet. The latter is the dam of G2 Manifold S. winner Serenely Discreet, while I’m Discreet’s half sister, Very Discreet (Exceed And Excel) was a four-time Listed winner and third behind the aforementioned Velocitea in the Goodwood and is herself the dam of South African Group 1 placed Naafer (Lonhro).
Copartner Spirit as a yearling
Trained in Australia by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr., Copartner Spirit, a $350,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, won two of his nine starts - a Moe maiden last November and a Class 1 H. over the Ballarat synthetic track this past May.
Breeder: Mill Park, Brenton & Liz Parker (SA)
Consignor: Mill Park, agent
Purchaser: China Horse Club/Newgate Thoroughbreds/WinStar
R10 - Yin Kong H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$270k), 1400m
More Than A Horse
(g, 4, More Than Ready {USA} x Xandretta, by Flying Spur)
Trained at home by Team Hawkes, More Than A Horse was no better than fourth in his first three trips to the post, but followed a Newcastle maiden victory with another in a BM64 H. at Kembla Grange this past June. He makes his Hong Kong debut off a mark of 70.
Bred on a cross that has been responsible for numerous Group 1/Grade I winners on either side of the equator, More Than A Horse topped the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling sale on a bid of $380,000. He is a half brother to last year’s G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Vinicunca (I Am Invincible) and his winning dam is a half sister to More Than Ready’s (USA) G1 Champagne S. winner Carry On Cutie.
Breeder: Mr G Walsh, L Maxsted, G Hayes, P Allen (Vic)
Consignor: Attunga Stud, agent
Purchaser: George Moore Bloodstock
