Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong
Progressive son of Headwater wins again
Vinery Stud’s Headwater looks to have a progressive runner in the Benno Yung-trained James Tak. The lightly raced 3-year-old gelding was winning for the third time in Hong Kong from six starts, having also placed twice.
James Tak, ridden by Jerry Chau got the better of Ima Single Man (Gingerbread Man) and Kaholo Angel (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). The gelding is one of seven individual winners for Headwater in Hong Kong from 17 runners. His progeny have accumulated 18 race victories in the jurisdiction.
The gelding is from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Patois, who won three races and is the dam of the stakes-performed Memes (Time Thief). James Tak was purchased for $40,000 by Doran Park from the draft of Carramar Park at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Murrulla Stud offered James Tak through the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale where Solari Bloodstock paid $75,000.
Flaming shows Rabbit of old
Douglas Whyte’s progressive import Flaming Rabbit (GB) (Time Test {GB}) returned to his best form in the Class 2 United Alumni H. after finishing unplaced on resumption at Sha Tin earlier in March.
Flaming Rabbit, ridden by Lyle Hewitson, won by 1.3l from The Golden Scenery (Deep Field) and Mugen (Deep Field). It was the fifth success for the son of Time Test (GB), who was formerly known as Rocchigiani (GB) and won the G3 Thoroughbred S. at Goodwood and the G3 Zukunfts Rennen at Baden-Baden.
The 5-year-old was purchased by Sam Wright for €575,000 (AU$949,000) from the 2022 Arqana Arc de Triomphe Sale. Flaming Rabbit is one of two winners from six runners for Time Test, who shuttles to Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand.
Time Test, a son of Dubawi (GB) enjoyed a productive weekend with his 2-year-old daughter, Great Time (NZ) winning by 5l at Riverton in New Zealand on Saturday.
Well related Inglis Digital buy gets the chocolates
Sha Tin’s Sunday program saw the Frankie Lor-trained Voyage Samurai (Dissident) saluted for the second time from three starts in Hong Kong. Voyage Samurai, ridden by Derek Leung, won the 1400-metre Class 4 by 1.3l from War Of Courage (Declaration Of War {USA}) and Top Top Tea (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}).
The 4-year-old entire was purchased for $9500 by Salvador B&M when offered by Widden Stud on the 2020 Inglis October (Early) Online Sale. Voyage Samurai is the fourth foal from the Commands mare Love Commands.
She is the dam of the G3 Nivision and Listed Razor Sharp H. winner Sky Command (Deep Field) and from the family of the G1 Emirates S. victress Sky Cuddle (Snippets) and Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt), a Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter.
Japan
Opera provides Lord with 10th elite-level winner
Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) secured his maiden Group 1 victory on Sunday when he arrived in the nick of time to land the G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin.
The son of Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) came into the event off a second-place effort in the G2 Kyoto Kinen. As a 3-year-old Bellagio Opera finished fourth in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) after being well beaten in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas). He ended his 3-year-old season with success in the G3 Challenge Cup at Hanshin.
Bellagio Opera’s victory on Sunday provided his jockey-turned trainer Hiroyuki Uemura with his first JRA Group 1 and fifth Graded title while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama registered his third Group 1 success.
“I was so disappointed when we lost the (Japanese) Derby that I really wanted to win Group 1 with Bellagio Opera. I’m really, really happy. The horse has very good manoeuvrability, and I knew that he was in good condition, so I decided to race him toward the front,” Yokoyama said.
“He’s really strong when it comes to a close rally. I’m glad he held off his rivals.”
Bellagio Opera is the 10th Group 1 winner for Lord Kanaloa, he is the third foal from the Harbinger (GB) mare Air Routine (Jpn). She won over 1800 metres and is a half-sister to Air Anthem (Jpn), a victor of the G3 Hakodate Kinen and the Listed Nakayama Hopeful S.
Parallel Vision salutes in the Lord Derby Challenge Trophy
The Sakae Kunieda-trained Parallel Vision (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was too strong in taking out the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy at Nakayama on Sunday.
Parallel Vision, ridden by Keita Tosaki, defeated Eeyan (Jpn) (Silver State {USA}) and Ask Konnamonda (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). It was his sixth victory and second stakes success, having claimed the Listed New Year S. last start.
The 5-year-old is the first foal from the Makfi (GB) mare Art Brut (Jpn). She won four races from 1200 to 1800 metres and is a daughter of Exhibit One (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}), who was crowned the Champion Older Female in Italy with victories in the G3 Roma Premio Carlo d’Alessio and Milano Premio Paolo Mezzanotte. She also finished fourth in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks.
