breednet.com.au

First Hong Kong Stakes-winner For I Am Invincible

Tara Madgwick - Sunday October 18

Champion sire I Am Invincible sired his first stakes-winner in Hong Kong on Sunday when talented sprinter Wishful Thinker captured the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m) at Sha Tin.

Advertisement

Wishful Thinker wins the G2 Premier Bowl - image HKJC

Sent out a long shot at 40-1, Wishful Thinker scored a head win over the favourite Computer Patch (Exceed and Excel), a last start winner of the Group III National Day Cup.
 



Having just his third start for new trainer Dennis Yip, the rejuvenated seven year-old produced the best win of his career.

Three horses have claimed the Group I HK International Sprint after winning the Premier Bowl in the same season – Absolute Champion (2006), Aerovelocity (2014) and Mr Stunning (2017).


Winning jockey Derek Leung said Yip’s decision to take the blinkers off Wishful Thinker was one of the keys to his success along with the genuine pace at which the race was run.

“We took the blinkers off and kept him fresh for today. He was more relaxed today, tried hard and raced very good. Last time he was bumped the beginning and then we tried to chase the winner and he got a bit keen,” Leung said of his distant fourth behind yesterday’s runner-up in the G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) on 1 October.

“This time he raced much better with the blinkers off and last time he carried top weight and this time he carried the low weight. The weight helped him a lot and the pace was good which suited the horses coming from behind.”

“I hope so,” Leung said when asked whether the Hong Kong Sprint might be on his agenda, “I’m sure he will run there”.

An $80,000 Magic Millions March purchase for Belmont Bloodstock from the JS Thoroughbreds draft, Wishful Thinker was bought to pinhook through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale where he passed in shy of his $150,000 reserve.

Wishful Thinker breezed in 10.86 seconds and was there to be bought.

He started his career in Victoria with Mick Price and won two of six starts saluting at Ballarat and Moonee Valley before being sold to Hong Kong.

He now has the overall record of nine wins and nine placings from 34 starts.

The best of eight winners from winning Barathea (IRE) mare Zebithea, Wishful Thinker is the 58th stakes-winner for I Am Invincible, but his first in Hong Kong.




 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Premier Bowl Gr2 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:07.89
1
Wishful Thinker
- 7g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zebithea (AUS) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: K C Leung 54.5
I Am Invincible
2
0.1
Computer Patch
- 4r Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Girl Hussler (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K Teetan 53
3
2.4
Rattan
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Grand Princess (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: A Hamelin 54
4
2.5
Hot King Prawn
- 6g Denman (AUS) x De Chorus (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 60.5
5
2.8
Big Party
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x De Groove (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: Z Purton 54.5
6
3.8
Voyage Warrior
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Chaleur (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: C Y Ho 57.5
7
4.3
Perfect Match
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: A Badel 53
More Reading...
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Now Triple G1 Oaks Winner for Coolmore
Already a winner of the Group I Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks, expensive blueblood Frankel filly made it a treble of G1 Oaks races when landing the Group I Yorkshire Oaks (1m4f) overnight.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Future Bright for Danica Guy
Group Three winner Lupo Solitario has returned to New Zealand, and the care of his former trainer Danica Guy, following a six-month racing stint in Hong Kong, while the stable are also excited about a first starter this weekend by Justify (USA).
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Widden Parade Braves the Rain
Widden Stud’s annual series of stallion parades in the ‘Valley of Champions’ kicked off as scheduled on Thursday with the reigning Champion Australian Sire Zoustar the centre of attention, while the world’s fastest horse Cogburn (USA) also made his debut in Australia.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.