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Karaka Graduate Wins G2 Sprint Cup

Media Release - Tuesday April 6

A brilliant late burst carried Karaka graduate Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to a career-best victory in Monday’s HK$4.5m Group Two Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.

Amazing Star beats Stronger to win the G2 Sprint Cup - image HKJC

Bought for $30,000 from the draft of breeders Blandford Lodge at the 2016 Select Sale, Amazing Star has now had 22 starts for seven wins, three placings and HK$9.06m in stakes. That’s the equivalent of NZ$1.65m, which is 55 times his purchase price.

Ridden on Monday by expat Brazilian jockey Vagner Borges, the six-year-old enjoyed a comfortable run behind a fast pace, sitting in seventh place on the rail.

He seized his opportunity when a gap opened in the straight, charging past the tiring leaders to hit the lead with 100 metres to run. Stronger (Not a Single Doubt) flashed home to provide a late scare, but Amazing Star held him out by a short head. The time was a rapid 1:08.24.

“I’m very happy, it’s my first Group win in Hong Kong,” Borges said. “I’m delighted. I have no words to describe how happy I am.

“As the race started, the horse jumped well and there was good pace, so I just sat there. When I asked the horse for a response, he responded really well and I was able to get the job done.”

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It was also a career-best win for trainer Jimmy Ting, who was granted a full licence in the 2018-19 season. He trains Amazing Star for owners the Grinders’ Racing Club Syndicate.

“I still do not believe it,” Ting said. “Maybe the pace was a bit fast and it was suitable for him. Over the last 200 metres, I thought he had a chance – only then.

“The horse suffers from back problems, but he is an amazing horse. His name is Amazing Star.” 

Amazing Star is the fourth Karaka graduate to win the Sprint Cup in the last five years, following on from Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel) two years ago, and the multiple Group 1 Sha Tin sprint winners Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel) and Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook) in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Monday’s win also completed a notable Hong Kong double over recent weeks for Karaka graduates who are sons of quality New Zealand sire Darci Brahma (NZ), with Amazing Star following in the footsteps of Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero Sky Darci (NZ).

Vendor

Blandford Lodge

Purchaser

Mr SG Lennox (Waverley)

Breeding

Darci Brahma – Bright Abyss

Sale

Lot 744, 2016 Select Sale, $30,000

Bred by

Mrs H G & W G Bax
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Race Result - The Sprint Cup Gr2 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:08.24
1
Amazing Star
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Bright Abyss (USA) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: K H Ting Rdr: V Borges 56
2
0.1
Stronger
- 4h Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Star Pupil (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: C Y Ho 56
3
0.9
Beauty Applause
- 5g Stratum (AUS) x Easy Step (AUS) (Arena (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 56
Stratum
4
2.0
Wishful Thinker
- 7g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zebithea (AUS) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: K C Leung 56
5
2.5
Wellington
- 4g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mihiri (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: A Badel 56
6
2.8
Computer Patch
- 4r Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Girl Hussler (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: N Callan 56
7
3.0
Voyage Warrior
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Chaleur (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: R Maia 56
8
4.3
Big Party
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x De Groove (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K Teetan 56
9
5.1
Sky Field
- 4g Deep Field (AUS) x Laravissante (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: Z Purton 56
10
5.2
Fat Turtle
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Pilya (USA) (Gulch (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: C Schofield 56
11
6.5
Winning Dreamer
- 4g Deep Field (AUS) x Markisa (NZ) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M F Poon 56
12
7.5
Buddies
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Gladwell (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: B Shinn 56
13
8.3
Regency Legend
- 5g Pins (AUS) x Sparkling (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: T Piccone 56
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