Win Bright Captures Hong Kong Cup to Give Japan Three of the Four Features at Sha Tin

Mark Smith - Sunday December 8

The Japanese sent a strong contingent for this year’s International Race Day at Sha Tin and they carried of three of the four Group 1 races with Win Bright (JPN) putting the stamp on a great day when he edged the valiant Magic Wand (IRE) by a short-head in the days feature, the Group 1 The Longines Hong Kong Cup.

Win Bright fights off Magic Wand image Grant Courtney

Ridden by Masami Matsuoka, Win Bright raced one out one back with Ryan Moore on Magic Wand (IRE) on his inside.

While Win Bright (JPN) had an uninterrupted run in the straight, Magic Wand (IRE) did not seem to appreciate being crowed between runners but she is nothing if not game and after looking beaten 100 metres out she began to rally and was fast-catching the winner but fell a short-head short.

Local hope Rise High (FR) (Myboycharlie) was a half-length back in third.

Win Bright completes a stunning day for Japan at Sha Tin image Grant Courtney

“It went the way we were expecting. I thought the pace would be slow so I sat about third or fourth. I was really happy the way it went. It’s a great honour to be representing Japan,” Matsuoka said.

Ryan Moore was typically succinct.

Advertisement

 “She ran super, she was unlucky. She’s very game, he said.

A multiple Group II winner in his homeland, Win Bright (JPN) defeated Exultant and Lys Gracieux in the Group 1 QE II Cup at Sha Tin back in April.

A 5yo son of the Sunday Silence stallion Stay Gold, Win Bright is a brother to Win Fabulous who was runner-up in the 2015 Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.

Their dam the 3-time winning Admire Cozzene mare Summer Eternity has a 2yo Orfevre (JPN) named Win Radiant and she had a filly foal by Deep Impact (JPN) this year.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Cup Gr1 2000m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:00.52
1
Win Bright
- 6h Stay Gold (JPN) x Summer Eternity (JPN) (Admire Cozzene (JPN))
Tnr: Yoshihiro Hatakeyama Rdr: M Matsuoka 57
2
0.1
Magic Wand
- 5m Galileo (IRE) x Prudenzia (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: Ryan Moore 55.5
3
0.6
Rise High
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Lana Girl (USA) (Arch (USA))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Y Ho 57
4
1.8
Furore
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Stormy Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: J Bowman 57
5
2.3
Edisa
- 4m Kitten's Joy (USA) x Ebiyza (IRE) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: A De Royer-Dupre Rdr: S Pasquier 54
6
2.8
Glorious Forever
- 6g Archipenko (USA) x Here To Eternity (USA) (Stormy Atlantic (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: Z Purton 57
7
3.5
Dark Dream
- 5g All American (AUS) x Buchanan Girl (AUS) (Lion Hunter (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: Damian Lane 57
8
7.0
Time Warp
- 7g Archipenko (USA) x Here To Eternity (USA) (Stormy Atlantic (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K Teetan 57
More Reading...
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Bred To Be Good and Bad
While the Kiwi’s are patting themselves on the back for the sublime, Champions Mile hero, Beauty Generation (Road To Rock) they can also take some credit for the Chairman's Sprint Prize winner Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) as well as the Japanese-bred Win Bright (JPN) who captured the HKJC Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.