Karaka Graduate Money Catcher Wins G3 January Cup

Media Release - Friday January 13

A breakthrough Hong Kong season for Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax) hit another high on Wednesday night with a bold front-running performance in the HK$3.9m Group Three January Cup (1800m) at Happy Valley. 

Money Catcher

Bought for $13,000 from the 2018 Karaka May Sale and $60,000 from the Ready to Run Sale a year later, Money Catcher has now earned HK$15m (NZ$3.03m) from a 24-start career that has produced three wins and 13 placings.

The five-year-old began this season with only one win to his name, although he had placed in numerous black-type races in both New Zealand and Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Derby (2000m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Auckland Guineas (1600m). Those New Zealand placings came under his previous name of Jason Belltree.

He claimed his first black-type victory with an all-the-way win in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) at Sha Tin in early November, then stepped on to Hong Kong’s biggest stage with a gallant placing in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Wednesday’s heroics proved those performances were no fluke, rolling to the front under jockey Silvestre de Sousa and putting his rivals to the sword in the straight.

Advertisement

Money Catcher kept going strongly all the way to the line, setting a new class record with his time of 1:47.94.

“He’s an improving horse and since he’s got his head in front, it’s brought him confidence and he’s been running better races,” De Sousa said. “He ran on International Day and he ran a great third. Through the season, this will be the improving horse.

“Today, I felt he was a bit lost on the track – a bit goofy – and the track could be a bit tight for him. He’s a big unit, he’s a galloping horse but he pulled it off well.”

Money Catcher is owned by the Sunflower Syndicate and is trained by Frankie Lor.

“He deserved that win,” Lor said. “He’s always consistent, and when he can lead or sit second or third, he’s good.”
 

Vendor Karaka May Sale: Haunui Bloodstock
Ready to Run Sale: Regal Farm
Purchaser Karaka May Sale: Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (Auckland)
Ready to Run Sale: Mr R Suzuki (Japan)
Breeding Ferlax – Warren’s Sister
Sale Lot 357, 2018 Karaka May Sale, $13,000
Lot 232, 2019 Ready to Run Sale, $60,000
Bred by Haunui Bloodstock
Advertisment
More Reading...
Carrazzo Melbourne 'Sport of Kings' Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that the Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
Zoustar Filly Wander Dune Impresses On Debut In South Africa
Making her debut as favourite in the Race Coast Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) at Kenilworth, South Africa on Saturday, 2yo Australian-bred Zoustar filly Wander Dune impressed with an emphatic victory.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Zousain Sunday 2YO Double
Zousain is surging to the end of the season with a double of new 2YO winners on Sunday bringing his seasonal tally of juvenile winners to 13.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.