Aerovelocity (NZ) Hits Top Speed

Exciting kiwi sprinter Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins) made his first appearance for the new season with a brave win in the HK-2 HK$3,875,000 Premier Bowl (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Aerovelocity (NZ) dashes along the inside to win the HK-2 Premier Bowl at Sha Tin. Photo courtesy of HKJC.

Last season saw Aerovelocity rise through the grades in Hong Kong with five successive wins, reaching his pinnacle with victory in the HK-3 Sha Tin Vase for ex-pat kiwi trainer Paul O’Sullivan.

Despite a strong field of proven Group 1 performers such as Able Friend (Shamardal) and Sterling City (Nadeem), Aerovelocity started as race-favourite with last season’s champion rider Zac Purton aboard.

The hopes of Aerovelocity took a hit as he reared on beginning and was forced to drop to the tail of the field after losing a length at the start.

Purton elected to ride for luck and breaks came his way in the straight. Aerovelocity dashed along the rail from last to hit the front in the dying stages of the race and won tenaciously by a short head.

“He is a very, very tough horse, especially to win up here – it is the toughest joint in the world to race,” commented O’Sullivan. “He missed the start and up until now he has just beaten them all for speed - he is far more versatile than what we thought.

“I think he has come back a little bit better this season. I don’t think he could have done that last season against those horses.”

A tilt at the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at the famed International Meeting is on the cards for Aerovelocity, explains O’Sullivan.

“His next start will be at set weights and penalties which, at his handicap, suits him perfectly. If he acquits himself well in that we will run in the International.”

Sunday’s victory was Aerovelocity’s sixth win from just 12 starts. The six-year-old son of Pins has earned HK$7,452,750 for his owner Daniel Yeung Ngai. Raced in New Zealand as Naisoso Warrior, he had one start for one win when trained by Wexford Stables’ Andrew Scott.

Bred by Nelson Schick & Steve Till, Aerovelocity is out of winning mare Exodus (Kaapstad), a sister to Group 2 winner Kapitain Kash (Kaapstad) and Listed winner Dante’s Paradiso (Danske).

Paul O’Sullivan purchased Aerovelocity for $120,000 at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale from Windsor Park Stud.

Aerovelocity was one of four kiwi winners on Sunday at Sha Tin – all of whom were purchased at Karaka. Making a notable return to racing was dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins) who finished third at his first run in 18 months.