Hong Kong Derby Contender for Nom du Jeu

Tara Madgwick - Thursday March 8
The 14 selected contenders for the HK$18 million BMW Hong Kong Derby were announced during a media conference at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday and among them is exciting Nom du Jeu gelding Ping Hai Star.

Ping Hai Star - HKJCTrained by John Size, Ping Hai Star was a commanding winner at Sha Tin on Saturday with Joao Moreira in the saddle and has now won his past three starts.

"He's got a very nice horse here," Moreira said. 

"I think there's a very high chance of him switching off if he did go to 2000m, but there is a doubt there because he has pulled in the past. I think that is in the back of John's mind, but if he races the same as he did today, he's going to be sweet over longer.

"Honestly, if John decides to run him in the Derby, he's going to be a very strong chance. He's all quality."

Ping Hai Star has the overall record of five wins and three placings from nine starts and is clearly a horse on the up.

He won two of three starts in Australia for the Stuart Kendrick stable in Queensland last year as Ted before being sold to Hong Kong.

A half-brother to Group II winner Neo, Ping Hai Star is from Encosta de Lago mare Vicky, a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group I winner Delago Brom and Group II winner Brom Felinity.

A Group I ATC Australian Derby winning son of Montjeu (IRE),Nom du Jeu stands at Raheen Stud at a fee of $3,300.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka. 
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
G3 Winning Return for True Enough
Talented Cambridge galloper True Enough has made the perfect start to a new campaign, scoring a smart first-up win in the Group III Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.