Written by Alan Carasso
In this ongoing 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. Wednesday’s program features the local debut of Marvel Dragon (Redoute’s Choice), the former Alba Wings, who will look to take his record to three wins from as many starts in the evening’s finale.
R3-Lambeth H. (C4), HK$967K (AU$180K), 1000m
Fire Ball (NZ)
(g, 3, Burgundy {NZ} x Lady Winifred {NZ}, by Casual Lies {USA})
A NZ$150,000 purchase out of Book 1 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales, Fire Ball breezed up his 200 metres in 10.46s ahead of that year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, but connections thought enough of him to take him home when bidding stalled out at NZ$250,000.
Watch: Fire Ball (NZ) galloping at the NZBRTR in 2018
One of five in Hong Kong for his sire, a Redoute’s Choice three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (NZ), the August foal is a half-brother to Sully (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), third in the G1 Champion S. and runner-up in the 2017 G1 AAMI Victoria Derby; and to the stakes-placed Deedee Panache (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). Joao Moreira has the call for Dennis Yip on Fire Ball, who led every step in a course-and-distance barrier trial on December 28.
Fire Ball (NZ) as a 2-year-old
Breeder: G M & Mrs G M Hewson
Consignor: Wentwood Grange, agent (NZBJAN); Riversley Park, agent (NZBRTR)
Purchaser: AOK Stable (NZBJAN)
R4-Ice House H. (C4), HK$867K (AU$180K), 1650m
Tung Wah Glory
(g, 4, Hussonet {USA} x Puzzles, by Redoute’s Choice)
Purchased for $95,000 out of the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, South Australian-bred Tung Wah Glory is out of a mare who has notched up five winners from as many to make the races and is a half-sister to G3 Liverpool City Cup S. winner Continuum (Hurricane Sky) and to the dam of stakes winner and Group 3 placed Horizons (Choisir).
Tung Wah Glory as a yearling
The bay gelding has shown some promise in the morning, including a second-place finish in an all-weather trial on New Year’s Eve, but he will require some luck from an awkward barrier in 12.
Breeder: S Drewitt (SA)
Consignor: Cornerstone Stud Farm, agent
Purchaser: Paul Chow/Tartan Meadow Bloodstock
R9-Chater H. (C3), HK$1.45m (AU$270K), 1200m
Marvel Dragon (ex Alba Wings)
(g, 4, Redoute’s Choice x Jeu de Cartes {NZ}, by Stravinsky {USA})
A son of New Zealand Group 2 winner Jeu de Cartes, Marvel Dragon is a maternal grandson of the Murray Baker-trained Prized Gem (NZ) (Prized {USA}), winner of the G1 Kelt Capital S. at home and of the G1 Brisbane Cup in Australia. Prized Gem’s G1 Australian Derby hero Nom Du Jeu (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}) was New Zealand’s champion stayer of 2019 and went on to sire Hong Kong Derby hero Ping Hai Star (NZ).
Marvel Dragon as a yearling
A NZ$420,000 graduate of the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling sales, the former Alba Wings went into training in Australia with Kris Lees, winning a Newcastle maiden handicap on debut last March before adding a BM64 H. at Gosford about two months later.
Breeder: Cressfield (NSW)
Consignor: Henley Park, agent
Purchaser: T K Moore
