Aussies favoured in Hong Kong International Sprint

The unbeaten record of Australian-bred sprinters in the Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) goes on the line this Sunday and market assessors are tipping the Aussies to make it a perfect dozen.

Thursday’s barrier draw did little to dent the confidence around the Australians, with Sacred Kingdom coming up with barrier 2 in his quest to win the race for an unprecedented third time.

He heads a list of five Australian-bred contestants this year.

SACRED KINGDOM (Encosta De Lago-Courtroom Sweetie) joined Falvelon and Silent Witness as dual winners of the Sprint when successful last year. He won the race for the first time in 2007 but was sidelined in 2008.
Sold for $200,000 2005 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale

ROCKET MAN (Viscount-Macrosa) is the idol of Singapore and showed he was on target for the race when dead-heating in the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint over the same course and distance at his most recent outing.  The winner of 12 races in 15 starts has drawn barrier 6.
Sold for $60,000 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale

ONE WORLD (Danehill Dancer-River Serenade) shared the honours with Rocket Man last time in winning his seventh race. The John Moore trained gelding finished second in this race last year, but his quest to go one better was dealt a blow when he drew the outside barrier in the 14 horse field.
Sold for $150,000 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

ULTRA FANTASY (Encosta De Lago-Belle Anglaise) showed his international qualities when joining Takeover Target and Silent Witness as Aus-bred winners of Japan’s prestigious Group 1 Sprinters Stakes at his most recent outing.  A stablemate of Sacred Kingdom, Ultra Fantasy has drawn barrier 4.
Sold for $30,000 2004 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale

ORTENSIA (Testa Rossa-Aerate’s Pick) comes off a last start third to Black Caviar in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic. The Tony Noonan trained mare, winner of eight races, will jump from barrier 5.
Sold for $50,000 2007 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale

The winning run of Australian horses in the Hong Kong International Sprint started with the Champion son of Danehill, Fairy King Prawn, dominating his rivals in 1999.