Starspangled 2YO Explodes at Sha Tin

The griffin race at Sha tin on Sunday was won in explosive fashion by exciting Starspangledbanner two year-old Styling City, his most expensive yearling sold in 2017.

Trained by John Moore, the powerhouse chestnut gelding travelled third in the run before accelerating away from the field to beat Zoustar colt Quadruple Double by six and a half lengths.

They stopped the clock for 1000 metres at a slick 57.83 seconds, a very good gallop for green two year-olds!

"We've always known he has some talent and he was a readymade two-year-old – I could have actually run him last September or October, that's how advanced he was," John Moore said.

"He's just lived up to our expectations there – the progression from their second trial to the race, for my stable, is to winning these races."

A $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase for George Moore Bloodstock / G Ling from the Amarina Farm draft, Styling City is the second winner from stakes-winning Artie Schiller (USA) mare Secret Liaison.

A champion son of Choisir, Starspangledbanner is priced for value this year at Coolmore at $11,000 and with better numbers and fertility in his last four seasons, has the potential to offer real rewards to his supporters this year.