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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment

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
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Showcase Session $60,000
Seller: Yulong, Nagambie
Buyer: John Foote Bloodstock
2
0.1
Steps Ahead
- 4g Written By (AUS) x Avocado (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: A Atzeni 56
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $140,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley
Buyer: R Jolly
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
More Reading...
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.