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First Hong Kong Runner a Winner for Alabama Express

Tara Madgwick - Sunday June 16

Alabama Express has done a great job this season with his first crop of two year-olds and broke new ground on Saturday at Sha Tin when his first runner in the region returned a winner with Karate Express scoring on debut.

Karate Express takes the gap between runners - image HKJC

Trained by Francis Lui and ridden by Lyle Hewitson, Karate Express surged between runners to win a very competitive 14 horse griffin race over 1000m by a length.

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“I think he’s got potential. He’s only two years old and the gap was very narrow. When it opened, he fought. It’s a good sign,” Lui said.

“I think the main thing is in the off-season, hopefully he can grow up and he’ll have a good future.”

Karate Express as a yearling.

A $100,000 Inglis Ready 2 Race purchase for Griffiths de Kock Racing / Peter Ford Thoroughbreds  from the Blake Ryan Racing draft, he we sourced originally from Inglis Classic for $45,000 from the Burke Bloodstock draft.

Karate Express is the third winner from Tiffany’s, a winning half-sister by High Chaparral (IRE) to Group II winner Neo and also Hong Kong Derby winner Ping Hai Star.

Karate Express is the tenth winner from 16 starters for Alabama Express, who stands at Yulong this spring at the increased fee of $55,000.

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Race Result - Yan Chau Tong Griffin Plate 1000m

Sha Tin Track: Dead Time: 0:57.28
1
Karate Express
- 2g Alabama Express (AUS) x Tiffany's (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 55
2
1
Ka Ying Resilience
- 2g Blue Point (IRE) x Just Discreet (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Z Purton 55
3
1.8
Santorini
- 3g Kodiac (GB) x Folegandros Island (FR) (Red Rocks (IRE))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K Teetan 57
4
2.8
Patch Of Cosmo
- 2g Super Seth (AUS) x Thee (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: Luke Ferraris 55
5
3
California Moxie
- 3g Mehmas (IRE) x Obama Rule (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: B Avdulla 57
6
3.5
Run Yes Run
- 2g Yes Yes Yes (AUS) x Bella Vino (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C W Chang Rdr: E C W Wong 51.5
7
7.3
California Banner
- 3g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Cristal Fashion (IRE) (Jeremy (USA))
Tnr: W K Mo Rdr: Y L Chung 56
8
7.8
Lord Of The Rose
- 3g Australia (GB) x Gwerrann (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: W Y So Rdr: A K Chan 55
9
8.5
Solar River
- 2g Capitalist (AUS) x Mountain Laurel (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: K H Ting Rdr: M L Yeung 55
10
8.5
Smiling Emperor
- 2g Capitalist (AUS) x Meri Rani (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: K H Ting Rdr: H Bentley 55
11
10.3
Supreme Winner
- 2g Epaulette (AUS) x Our Lonnie (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: K C Leung 55
12
11
Smart Zipang
- 3g Declaration Of War (USA) x Reticent Girl (JPN) (Forty Niner (USA))
Tnr: W Y So Rdr: B Thompson 57
13
14.3
New Asia Great
- 2g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Demanding Queen (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Keagan De Melo 55
14
15.3
Angelic
- 2g Harry Angel (IRE) x Cambage (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: A Atzeni 55
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