NZ bred gallopers are back in force for the new Hong Kong season and Castle Hero can make a winning debut in the Harcourt Hcp (1200m) on Sunday.

Previously trained by Stephen Gillies, he was an impressive winner of a barrier trial at Waverley last November before heading off-shore to continue his career.

Castle Hero (4g Postponed – Dancing Hero by Clay Hero) was bred by Chris Hausman and is a younger half-brother to Melbourne winner Shabangabang (Bertolini).

He has had two hit-outs in preparation for Race 5 at Sha Tin on Sunday and is scheduled to take on some promising opposition including NZ bred gelding Delish (Thorn Park).

Delish was a winner during his first preparation in Hong Kong for Douglas Whyte.  “He’s a lovely horse with raw natural talent,” Whyte said.  “He has tactical speed to put himself handy and I expect he will run a mile in the future.”

A son of 2010-11 Champion NZ sire Thorn Park (Spinning World) and is a half-brother to stakes performer Miss Ivy (Gold Brose).