Karaka Graduates Quinella Sprint Cup

Media Release - Monday April 9

Graduates of the Karaka sales complex starred in Sunday's HK$4 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin, with Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook) first and Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel) second.

Beat the Clock - HKJCIt was the first stakes win for Beat The Clock, who was bought for $200,000 at the 2015 Ready to Run Sale. In his three previous starts he had finished second in the Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and the Group 3 Challenge Cup (1400m).

Yesterday was a deserved breakthrough, with rider Joao Moreira allowing him to drop to the tail of the eight-horse field before charging down the outside and edging out Mr Stunning by a neck. Both star sprinters are trained by John Size.

"He showed to me today that he is one of the best sprinters in town," Moreira said. "It wasn't really a fast-run race, for me in the back that made it a bit harder to catch those up front. But even after I went early on him and made a long run, he still attacked the line all the way to the end. That's the mark of a very good horse. He's very classy.

"He's been a little bit unlucky. He's been bumped in his races and ended up a little farther back, or he's got a little bit lost at the end of those runs. Today, he's made it count."

Advertisement

Beat The Clock has now had 14 starts for six wins, eight placings and HK$12.67 million in prizemoney for owner Merrick Chung Wai Lik – the equivalent of NZ$2.22 million, more than 10 times his purchase price.

Stablemate Mr Stunning has had 18 starts for 10 wins, five placings and HK$29.5 million – more than 20 times his $250,000 purchase price at the 2014 Premier Sale.

Vendor Prima Park
Purchaser Mr B Mitchell (Victoria)
Breeding Hinchinbrook – Flion Fenena
Sale Lot 260, 2015 Ready to Run Sale, $200,000
Bred by Miss J Henderson
Advertisment
More Reading...
Front Runner Lindermann Wins Chelmsford Stakes
Capitalising on his outstanding second up form, Chris Waller’s Group 1-winning Lonhro gelding Lindermann held on to win the Group 2 ATC Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
El Roca Filly Wins G3 Gold Trail
Lollapalooza went into Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a maiden, but she came out of it as one of the leaders of her generation and the clear favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
G1 Spring Ahead As Angel Capital Remains Unbeaten First Up
A winner of the Listed McKenzie Stakes on this day last year, outstanding Harry Angel 4yo Angel Capital remained unbeaten first-up, winning the Listed MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Barnstorming Performance As Baraqiel Wins G1 Moir Stakes
Off the back of his impressive last start Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes victory at the same track, Snitzel gelding Baraqiel had everyone talking, and rightfully so, as he justified the faith of his trainers, charging late to win the $750,000 Group 1 MVRC Moir Stakes (1000m) in the Bennett Racing silks.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Connection with Impressive St Mark’s Basilica Debut Winner
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is at Coolmore Australia this spring and had an impressive debut winner at Ascot overnight with El Vamos powering clear of her rivals to win as she pleased.
Concorde Stakes Success For Headwall
With the first two across the line highlighting their claims for an Everest slot, Matthew Smith’s Headwall (Dream Ahead) came with a well-timed run in the $1m Group 3 ATC Concorde Stakes (1000m) to deny the unlucky Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel).
$750,000 Deep Field Colt a SW on Debut
Nearly all of the good colts and geldings by now pensioned sire Deep Field find their way to Hong Kong, but astute trainer Clinton McDonald was determined to keep Rosberg paying $750,000 for the colt at the Inglis Ready 2Race Sale last year and he was rewarded at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Lightning Strikes at The Valley
It didn't carry Black Type, but the $200,000 MVRC So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley was packed with intrigue and G1 winners with spring aspirations.