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28.
Hong Kong Group One
winner for Hurricane Sky
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06/02/2003 |
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Arrowfield
Stud stallions Flying Spur and Hurricane Sky produced the quinella in the first
leg of the Champion Sprint Series in Hong Kong run on Monday night.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year in fine style, Grand Delight (by Hurricane Sky)
won the HK$4.5 million Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (Gr.1-1000m) by a length from
Firebolt (by Flying Spur) with All Thrills Too, winner of the International Hong
Kong Sprint, a further quarter length behind in third position. Grand Delight
covered the 1000m at Sha Tin in a swift 0:56.30.
Known in Australia as Desert Eagle, Grand Delight began his career in Hong Kong
running over seven furlongs or a mile, but last month trainer John Size dropped
him back in trip to six furlongs and comfortably claimed the HKGr.3 Chinese Club
Challenge Cup with top weight. On Monday, the task was stiffer again, dropping
further back to the minimum trip and tackling the very best at set weights.
Sent off at 11/1, Grand Delight overcame being inconvenienced upon leaving the
gates as Firebolt set a strong early pace with All Thrills Too, Charming City
and Thunder close up. Firebolt was still in front 200 metres from home, but, two
lengths further back, Grand Delight was only reaching top gear and he tore to
the lead with 50 metres and pull clear by a length at the line. Locally,
Hurricane Sky has also emerged with a strong sprinting mare in the shape of the
Matt Ellerton trained River Dove who finished a close second in the Kensington
Stakes L at Flemington on Saturday.
While Firebolt was second best in that race, his sire Flying Spur was not to be
denied on the night siring Lucky Paradise, smart winner of the Kut Cheong
Handicap over 1200m. Fronting the starter for only his third appearance the Tony
Cruz trained galloper won the event by 2 lengths in a slick time of 1:10.2.
“Like Snippets before him, Flying Spur is starting to hit his straps in Hong
Kong which opens up a great buying bench for his colts. The top priced colt at
the Classic Sale is headed to Hong Kong as are his two $100,000 plus colts from
the recent Karaka sale.
The Flying Spur colts seem to adapt well to Hong Kong racing and with Danehill
no longer readily available, there is a void to be filled. Hurricane Sky
hasn’t had enough runners in Hong Kong but a result like this will ensure that
his progeny continue to gain interest in the region,” said Arrowfield’s John
Messara
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