Nicconi 4YO Wins Hong Kong Classic Cup

Tara Madgwick - Monday February 27

It was an Australian bred trifecta in the HK$12million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory going to Nicconi gelding Super Sunny Sing over Sword Point (American Pharoah (USA) and Galaxy Witness (Star Witness).

Super Sunny Sing wins the Hong Kong Classic Cup - image HKJC

Trained by Chris So and ridden by Vincent Ho, Super Sunny Sing started favourite and made it four wins in a row with a determined half length win.

Ho lavished praise on Super Sunny Sing just over 70 minutes after partnering 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby champion Golden Sixty to a stirring win in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).

Contemplating Super Sunny Sing’s worthiness as a Derby candidate, Ho said: “He’s getting more mentally mature and he’s relaxing so well, so he can hopefully go to the Derby. I think Mr Size’s horse (Beauty Eternal) will be very hard to beat, but let’s see.

“I was always confident today and Chris and his team did an extraordinary job to keep the horse well and now, aiming for the Derby, we have to get him recovered. This horse has improved so much – it’s like he knows how to win and when we stepped up to 1600 metres, there was no problem and he had a great turn of foot. He’s a very smart horse. We have something special here.”

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Super Sunny Sing was a savvy $48,000 Inglis Classic purchase.

A $48,000 Inglis Classic purchase for John Foote Bloodstock from the Noogee Park draft, Super Sunny Sing has had five wins and two placings from nine starts and is the 26th stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s Nicconi.

“To get a horse to win this race makes me very happy and it relieves a lot of pressure now,” said Chris So.

“Today has proven that he should handle further distance but let’s see how he pulls up – if he’s sound and happy, we target the Derby. We won’t change too much on the programme and just keep him happy.”

Bred by Jilly Henderson and Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds, Super Sunny Sing is a half-brother to stakes-placed Too Many Reds and is the best of 11 winners from 11 foals to race from terrific producing Rubiton mare Red Centre, who has been pensioned.

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Race Result - The Hong Kong Classic Cup 1800m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:46.26
1
Super Sunny Sing
- 4g Nicconi (AUS) x Red Centre (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: W Y So Rdr: C Y Ho 57
2
0.5
Sword Point
- 4g American Pharoah (USA) x Jazz Song (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: J Bowman 57
3
2.8
Galaxy Witness
- 4g Star Witness (AUS) x Black Tulip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: B Shinn 57
4
2.9
Tuchel
- 4g Redwood (GB) x Trista Rossa (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Z Purton 57
5
3.5
Flagship Warrior
- 4g Foxwedge (AUS) x Inishmore (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: K Teetan 57
6
4.0
Voyage Bubble
- 4g Deep Field (AUS) x Raheights (AUS) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
7
5.0
Bon's A Pearla
- 4m Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Treasure Island (AUS) (Duporth (AUS))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 55.5
8
5.3
Sinba
- 4g Xtravagant (NZ) x Kamili (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: Jerry Chau 57
9
5.5
Majestic Colour
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Vivid Diamonte (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M Chadwick 57
10
5.8
La City Blanche
- 4g Cityscape (GB) x Etoile Blanc (BRZ) ( ())
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 57
11
8.3
Sweet Encounter
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Haumea (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: L Currie 57
12
8.5
Encountered
- 4g Churchill (IRE) x Enrol (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: S De Sousa 57
13
9.3
Keefy
- 4g All Too Hard (AUS) x Urban Rocker (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K C Leung 57
14
15.0
Beautyverse
- 4g Tarzino (NZ) x The Love Of Money (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
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