Kiwis' Shine At Sha Tin

New Zealand bred horses were once again to the fore in Hong Kong over the weekend, with them winning four of the ten races at Sha Tin racetrack yesterday.

The promising three year old Lucky Paradise (Flying Spur x The Essence) led the way with a kiwi-bred trifecta in the Class 3 Clear Water Bay Handicap (1200m, HK$700,000).

Lucky Paradise made it two wins and three placings from just the five starts when defeating Born Dragon (Zabeel x Te Akau Star) by one and � of a length, with the up and coming Honour Supreme (Gold Brose x Chello) a nose back in third place.

Following on from the win by fellow high priced Zabeel gelding Xlerate last weekend, Classa Victory (Zabeel x Surfin Bird) turned in a determined run making it three victories on end when winning the Class 3 Kowloon Bay Handicap (1600m, HK$700,000). The three year old gelding edged out the Australian bred Halo King Prawn (Danehill x Emporium) by a neck, with fellow New Zealander Knight Templar (I Conquer x Espion) third.

Classa Victory was purchased by Anglo Asian Bloodstock at the 2001 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $430,000 from the draft of the Ra Ora-Haunui Partnership.

The six year old gelding Loyal Devotion (Justice Prevails x Villajaro) turned his form around, winning the second richest race on the card, the Chai Wan Handicap (1650m, HK$1,000,000) by one length from Temmoku (Chief's Crown x Alice En Ballade) and Celestial Magic (Fraar x Flying Esra).

Loyal Devotion was purchased at the 1998 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Colts Sale for just $4,750 by Simon and Katrina Alexander. The gelding was sold through the draft of Willowbank Stud.

Cheerful Fortune (Kashani x Crystal Jet) made a very impressive winning debut in the North Point Handicap (1200m, HK$570,000) dashing out to a four and � length victory over the Australian pair Bowin (Belong to Me x Miss Mustard) and Happy Winning (Flying Spur x Indexed).

Cheerful Fortune was purchased at the 2001 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Colts Sale by Grand Harvest Stud for $38,000 from the draft of Highview Stud.

The three year olds, In the Money (Kaapstad x Madame Faubourg) and Mighty Hugo (Zabeel x She Might Hula) both placed in the Quarry Bay Handicap (1400m, HK$570,000) running second and third respectively behind Spinning City (Spinning World x Futile).