Six out of Seven for Aussie Bred HK Up and Comer

Tara Madgwick - Thursday June 12

Yulong are producing a large number of horses each year and one whose dam was offloaded last year for $5,500 on Inglis Digital has put together an impressive Hong Kong record with six wins and a second from seven starts with his latest victory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Hong Kok Golf wins at Happy Valley - image HKJC

Trained by Chris So and ridden by Harry Bentley, four year-old Grunt gelding Hong Lok Golf has been one of the finds of the season after making a winning debut at Sha Tin last November.

He has made steady progress through his grades every since, gradually stepping up in class and also distance to arrive at his latest success in a Class 2 race over 1650m.

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He  charged to the line with a well timed run to snatch a head win running away.

“I was worried about coming to Happy Valley for the first time, but I thought the horse could be flexible – he can lead, sit off the pace or come from behind – so it was worth the try,” Chris So said.

“Every time he gives you a surprise – he’s such a tough horse and never gives up, he always hits the line strongly. I hope he can be a Group 1 horse in time.”

Hong Lok Golf was bred and sold by Yulong at Inglis Premier for $60,000.

A $60,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Yulong for John Foote Bloodstock, Hong Lok Golf is the second winner from unraced High Chaparral mare Sky Island (IRE), a half-sister to multiple Group II winner Maraahel from an international Black Type family.

Yulong sold Sky Island online for $5,500 last year to Two Fillies Stud after she missed to Written Tycoon and she was one of four mares covered last year by Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE), while Sky Island’s first foal Madrean, a winning daughter of Frankel was also sold online for just $14,000 to Queensland based Yarramalong.

She produced a filly for them last spring by Tagaloa and is now in foal to Better Than Ready.

It looks as though there will be several interested parties watching the progress of Hong Lok Golf and hoping he can deliver the goods in stakes company!

His sire Grunt remains on the Yulong roster at a fee of $19,800.

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Race Result - Cheung Sha Hcp (C2) 1650m

Happy Valley Track: Firm Time: 1:38.44
1
Hong Lok Golf
- 4g Grunt (NZ) x Sky Island (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: W Y So Rdr: H Bentley 57.5
2
0.1
Steps Ahead
- 4g Written By (AUS) x Avocado (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: A Atzeni 56
3
0.8
Soleil Fighter
- 5g Sea The Moon (GER) x Force One (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Z Purton 57.5
4
2.5
C P Brave
- 8g Zoffany (IRE) x Starship (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: Jerry Chau 55.5
5
3
Voyage Samurai
- 5h Dissident (AUS) x Love Commands (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K C Leung 59
6
3.8
The Golden Scenery
- 7g Deep Field (AUS) x Saga's Gift (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 56
7
4
Helene Feeling
- 5g Sioux Nation (USA) x Cynthia Calhoun (GB) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: E C W Wong 58
8
4
Embraces
- 4g Reliable Man (GB) x Abbey Tralae (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: W K Mo Rdr: Y L Chung 52.5
9
6.3
Telecom Fighters
- 8g The Brothers War (USA) x Moorings Capital (AUS) (Song Of Tara (IRE))
Tnr: Y S Tsui Rdr: James Orman 58.5
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