Lord Kanaloa's Danon Smash Strikes for Japan in Hong Kong Sprint

Mark Smith - Sunday December 13

The Japanese struck again for the international contingent when Danon Smash gave Ryan Moore another Group 1 success in The Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Japanese contender Danon Smash wins the International Sprint - image HKJC

Coming from the outside barrier, the Takayuki Yasuda-trained son of Lord Kanaloa finished best to defeat Lonhro’s underrated 9yo son Jolly Banner by a half-length with the Savabeel gelding Rattan a head back in third.

“He has had some real good form at times in Japan,” Moore said.

Advertisement

“I must admit I thought the barrier would make it difficult. But we got lucky and had a lovely run around.

He travelled sweetly and was very brave. He fought all the way and is just a pleasure to ride.”

The Everest hero Classic Legend was a step slow from his inside barrier. He had a few behind him on the turn and was blocked for a run in the straight. But he was a touch lethargic in the closing stages to clock in 11th on his Hong Kong debut.

Danon Smash went off at remarkably tasty odds for a horse that was coming off a last start second to Gran Alegria in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, which followed a win in the Group II Centaur Stakes.

It advances the record of Danon Smash to 10 wins, three seconds and a third from 22 starts.

Danon Smash emulates the deeds of his father Lord Kanaloa who won the race in 2012 and 2013.

 He is the best of five winners from as many to race out of the Hard Spun (USA) mare Spinning Wildcat who is a three-quarter sister to War Chant out of the champion racemare Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S0 whose 12 wins included the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Gamely Hcp, and Hollywood Oaks.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Sprint Gr1 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:08.45
1
Danon Smash
- 6h Lord Kanaloa (JPN) x Spinning Wildcat (USA) (Hard Spun (USA))
Tnr: Takayuki Yasuda Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
2
0.5
Jolly Banner
- 9g Lonhro (AUS) x Valkyrie Diva (AUS) (Jade Robbery (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: M Barzalona 57
3
0.7
Rattan
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Grand Princess (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: C Schofield 57
4
0.8
Wishful Thinker
- 7g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zebithea (AUS) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: K C Leung 57
5
1.3
Fat Turtle
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Pilya (USA) (Gulch (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Hamelin 57
6
1.5
Computer Patch
- 4r Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Girl Hussler (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 57
7
1.6
Hot King Prawn
- 6g Denman (AUS) x De Chorus (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 57
8
3.3
Voyage Warrior
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Chaleur (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: K Teetan 57
9
5.0
Amazing Star
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Bright Abyss (USA) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: K H Ting Rdr: Z Purton 57
10
5.5
Stronger
- 4h Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Star Pupil (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: P C Boudot 57
11
6.5
Classique Legend
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Pinocchio (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Y Ho 57
12
8.5
Big Party
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x De Groove (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M Chadwick 57
13
10.8
Tower Of London
- 6h Raven's Pass (USA) x Snow Pine (GB) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: K Fujisawa Rdr: W Buick 57
14
38.5
Big Time Baby
- 7g Dandy Man (IRE) x Royal Majestic (GB) (Tobougg (IRE))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: N Callan 57
More Reading...
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.