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).
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.”
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.
