New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup

Media Release - Thursday October 2

Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.

Fast Network winning the Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m). Photo: HKJC

Badel, who won the race for the third time, was victorious last season aboard Beauty Waves, who faded to sixth place under champion jockey Zac Purton in a tame defence of his crown.

The Frenchman said this time around he had pursued the ride on Fast Network as he rated his chances highly.

“I knew he’d be a very strong contender in this race, so I was chasing the ride, and I’m grateful that the connections and the trainer gave me the confidence of the ride,” Badel said.

“It’s always nice to deliver. I thought he won brilliantly. I probably hit the front too soon because of the draw, but he had plenty to offer. It was great.”

The five-year-old son of Wrote was ridden under a hold until the last 200m when he was unleashed by Badel and quickly loomed to the head of the field along the outside.

“He’s a late finisher, this horse,” Yip said, “So in the early stages, I told the jockey not to push him a lot. Just leave him alone, let him relax and then he will finish the last 300 (metres).

A triumphant Yip acknowledged the improvement in his charge and switched his focus to further Group success down the line.

Advertisement

“He’s a very honest horse. Since his last race (the Class 2 Tai Mo Shan Handicap, 1400m), his form has improved a lot in Conghua,” Yip said.

“I think at the end of the month, there is a Group Two over 1200 for him (Premier Bowl, Handicap). I think that’s my target for him,” Yip added.

Longer term, Fast Network is set to clash with fellow New Zealand bred Ka Ying Rising in December’s Gr.1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m).

The sprint feature was the sixth win of a 13-start career for Fast Network who has now earned HK$10.17m for owner Ng Hung Yau.

Fast Network is the fifth SW for Wrote(IRE), click for more info.

Bred by Highview Stud’s Kurtis Gillovic, Fast Network was purchased by Wexford Stables for $30,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sales.

Originally named Donnie Malone, Fast Network won a trial at Te Rapa for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott before his sale to Hong Kong.

Fast Network is one of eight individual winners from 11 runners in Hong Kong by Highview Stud stallion Wrote, a Group One winning son of High Chaparral. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - The National Day Cup Gr3 1000m

Sha Tin Track: Firm Time: 0:55.64
1
Fast Network
- 5g Wrote (IRE) x Alberta (NZ) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: A Badel 56.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $30,000
Seller: Highview
Buyer: Wexford Stables
2
0.3
Raging Blizzard
- 6g Per Incanto (USA) x Perfect Beat (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: B Avdulla 57
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $225,000
Seller: Lime Country Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Burradoo
Buyer: John Foote Bloodstock
3
1.8
Magic Control
- 5g Sioux Nation (USA) x Jackpot Queen (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: W K Mo Rdr: C Y Ho 56
Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale $10,000
Seller: Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre
Buyer: Kingsbarn Bloodstock
4
2
Wunderbar
- 5g Rich Enuff (AUS) x Could Be Something (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Bowman 57
5
2.5
Invincible Sage
- 6g Thronum (AUS) x Thorsborne (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: D J Hall Rdr: James Orman 58.5
6
3.8
Beauty Waves
- 6g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Little Sweetheart (IRE) (Lawman (FR))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 61
7
5.3
Bottomuptogether
- 5g Shamus Award (AUS) x Miss Ethics (SAF) (Count Dubois (GB))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M F Poon 56
8
9.3
Baby Crystal
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: E C W Wong 52
More Reading...
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.