Winning Return for HK Derby Winner Sky Darci

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 30

Kiwi bred four year-old Sky Darci was last seen winning the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin back in March and he returned to that venue on Sunday to win the Group III Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m).

Trained by Caspar Fownes and ridden by Joao Moreira, the Darci Brahma gelding  started favourite and scored a head win over Zoustar’s Healthy Happy, who was gallant in defeat.
 



“On paper it looked a nice comeback race for him, 115 (pounds) on his back and a nice soft draw (barrier three). He landed in the spot we thought he would be, just relaxed and came out and you can see what he’s got,” Fownes said after Sky Darci withstood a fierce challenge from Healthy Happy, who lifted bravely after being headed by the winner.

“Obviously the second horse (Healthy Happy) is a horse we respected coming into the race because we didn’t think there was much pace and obviously, he gave us quite a scare the last 100m.

“He’s a nice horse, the second horse. He’s probably one that’s going to go on with it.

“At the end of the day, we’re very happy to bring him back from the Derby. There’s always pressure on you to get these horses to come back and perform.”

Sky Darci beats Healthy Happy in a thrilling finish - image HKJC

Sky Darci will now work towards the HK International meeting in December, but may revert to sprinting for that long term goal.

“It looks like we’ve got something to work with going forward to December. He’s a good horse and he’s probably still got another length and a half to two lengths in him over the next 12 months. If he can do that, all of sudden he’s a serious and proper horse,” Fownes said, hinting at taking a path which avoids clashing with superstar Golden Sixty over a mile.

“He’s a sprinter-miler in my mind and he’s showing us that, so we’ll just try to pick the best possible options and avoid the champions.

“He’ll come back to have a 1200 metre run early in the (2021/22) season, so we’ll just see what he does there. He’s versatile and he should be a bigger and better horse with a couple of months of the summer break under his belt.”

Sky Darci was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Mr B Kwan for $160,000 and has the great record of seven wins and three placings from 13 starts.

Sky Darci is a half-brother to Group II Brisbane Cup winner Chocante and is one of five winners from unraced O’Reilly mare Strictly Maternal, a grand-daughter of Group III winner Red Chiffon.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Lion Rock Trophy Gr3 1600m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:33.45
1
Sky Darci
- 4g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: J Moreira 52
2
0.1
Healthy Happy
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Lady Lakshmi (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Badel 51.5
Zoustar
3
1.9
Not Usual Talent
- 6g Zacinto (GB) x Compact Pussycat (NZ) (Al Akbar (AUS))
Tnr: T P Yung Rdr: M Chadwick 51.5
4
2.0
Champion's Way
- 5g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Greta's Yarn (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: A Hamelin 55
5
2.5
Fast Most Furious
- 8g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Al Basar (USA) (Sahm (USA))
Tnr: D J Hall Rdr: M F Poon 52
6
4.8
Ka Ying Star
- 6g Cityscape (GB) x Casual Glance (GB) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 60.5
7
6.5
More Than This
- 5g Dutch Art (GB) x Striving (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: K Teetan 59
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish.