Exciting Castelvecchio 3YO Quantum Legend Headed to HK

Media Release - Monday September 1

Tony Pike’s powers of persuasion have come up short against the money on offer in Hong Kong.

The Cambridge trainer was keen to hold on to impressive debut winner Quantum Legend through his three-year-old campaign but has been unable to convince Hong Kong owner Kenneth Lau to leave him in New Zealand.

Quantum Legend is packing his bags for Hong Kong - Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“Unfortunately, it looks like he is going to take him up there. The PP bonuses (for previously raced horses) are so attractive for the owners if they win in Class 3,” Pike said.

“We made a good case and the owner thought about it long and hard but, no, he’s heading up there.

“It’s a real shame and if he was a colt, it may have been a different story, but with the amount of prizemoney up there it’s pretty hard to try and convince him otherwise, so we’ll move on.”

Quantum Legend was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where the son of Castelvecchio was knocked down to Waikato Bloodstock, on behalf of Lau, for $400,000.

From the family of multiple Group One winner and champion sire Redoute’s Choice, he had impressed at the trials before winning as a short-priced favourite at Te Rapa last month.

That performance earned him a $10 equal second favourite quote for the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Pike is now hoping a stablemate can press his southern claims on Saturday.

Advertisement

The highly regarded Snitzel colt Storm Front is currently a $31 chance and will open his campaign in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie.

“He trialled really well at Te Awamutu, he’s one of a number of nice three-year-olds who will probably run in the next couple of weeks and then we’ll know where they’re heading,” Pike said.

Storm Front was a smart debut winner before he suffered cardiac arrhythmia when unplaced in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) and was spelled.

Meanwhile, multiple stakes winner Val Di Zoldo will bypass the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m).

“She will go to the open mile at Te Rapa, I just didn’t want to run her first-up on a good surface over 1400m against weight-for-age horses, they’ll be too sharp for her,” Pike said.

“She’ll run on September 14 and then go to the mile (Gr.1 Howden Insurance) and the 2040m race (Gr.1 Livamol Classic).

“The Livamol is probably her best chance, but if they happened to get a Soft 8 or 9 for the second day at Te Rapa, where she has always run well, then it would be suitable for her as well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Watch – 3YO - Changing of the Guard?
Last Saturday, spring kicked into overdrive and we saw three Group races for 3YO colts and geldings that included the winners of last season’s GI MRC Blue Diamond, G1ATC Sires Produce and the Golden Slipper runner-up, but none of them could land a blow.
One to Watch – Wyong
Trial watchers have been impressed in recent weeks with the efforts of the Bjorn Baker trained King’s Legacy colt Whatalegacy and he duly made a winning debut at Wyong on Sunday.
Invincible Colt Wins on Debut
The Michael Freedman stable have been patient with good looking I Am Invincible colt Transgress and with the first good track at a provincial meeting for quite some time at Wyong on Sunday they decided to unleash Transgress and were well rewarded.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 31
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
Adding to the Legend of a Great Blue Hen
There were a lot of fascinating winners over the last few days, some for their stakes potential and some for their pedigree and this mare combines both- can she add to the legend of a great blue hen?
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.
Melbourne Racing Club Announces Official Trial Schedule for 2025–26
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is thrilled to announce a comprehensive schedule of 15 Official Trials across the 2025–26 season, providing an essential service to trainers, owners and jockeys while addressing the industry’s increasing need for metropolitan grass access.
Dylan Gibbons Back in Action – Linebacker Brother Salutes
The John O’Shea / Tom Charlton stable endured a shattering day at Rosehill on Saturday, but they regrouped on Sunday at Wyong to win with the full brother to Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker and Strongside was ridden by Dylan Gibbons.
Ones to Watch – Kembla - 3YOs to Follow
At the start of spring there is a plethora of talented 3YO’s all trying to get on the board with a win to hopefully progress to stakes class and at Kembla on Saturday we saw three well-bred maiden winners that would all have designs on Black Type.