By Alan Carasso
In three previous tries at pattern level, Lucky Year hadn't finished better than eighth, and he'd even struggled to make a mark in Class 1, with a single win and a pair of minor placings from seven tries. Sent off as easily the roughest of the roughies in Sunday's G3 Sha Tin Trophy H., the 5-year-old got a positive ride from recent arrival Callan Murray and toughed it out late to cause a massive boilover.
Under a hussling ride from the opening bell, Lucky Year took up a position from second as Fabulous One (NZ) (Elusive City) enjoyed a reasonably soft time of things on the engine. Not Listenin'tome was a touch headstrong, but well-spotted from third on the turn and the John Moore trainee ranged up to make a line of three at the 400m. Fabulous One finally capitulated as Lucky Year hit the lead nearing the furlong marker, and though they came at him from all sides, the well-handicapped 5-year-old was shoved across the line first, giving the South African champion a landmark big-race win in just his third day of riding locally. D B Pin, off slowly, rallied nicely for second ahead of Thewizardofoz, who sat a wide trip and ran on strongly–final 400m in :22–to finish best of the topweights.
“Unbelievable!” Murray, 20, told the HKJC's Andrew Hawkins. “I can't believe it, how exciting is this? It's crazy. I didn't expect it so soon, but I'm thrilled–what a way to break through at Sha Tin. I've been very fortunate. You always hope that you can make an impression quickly, you've got it in the back of your head you want to do well, but I didn't think it could be like this. Hopefully it gives me a bit of momentum going forward.”
Pedigree Notes:
Lucky Year is the 32d graded/group winner and 66th black-type winner overall for Holy Roman Emperor, the leading sire in Hong Kong for the 2016/2017 season by progeny earnings with upwards of HK$40 million. Of Holy Roman Emperor's 10 top-level winners, Designs On Rome and Beauty Only have achieved that success at Sha Tin, while another, Rich Tapestry (Ire), became the first Hong Kong-based horse to win a Grade I on U.S. soil in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship. Produced by a half-sister to GSP Declare (Aus) (Century {Aus}) and the SP Question Asked (Aus) and Middle Stump (Aus), Lucky Year is kin to the 2-year-old colt Gridiron (Aus) (Captain Gerrard {Ire}), a yearling filly by Master of Design (Aus) and a filly foal by G1 Melbourne Cup hero Americain. Natural Lil was most recently bred back to Holy Roman Emperor.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
SHA TIN VASE H., HK$3,000,000, Sha Tin, 5-28, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:09.27, gd/fm.
1–#@LUCKY YEAR (AUS), 116, g, 5, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)&log=">Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
1st Dam: Natural Lil (Aus), by Naturalism (NZ)
2nd Dam: Bowled Lillee (Aus), by Hartbalm (Aus)
3rd Dam: Courtmarsh (Aus), by Noble Charger (Aus)
(A$22,000 RNA Wlg '12 INGWBS). O-Cheung Pui Chu; B-Tara Farm Pty Ltd (Vic); T-Denny Shum; J-Callan Murray; HK$1,710,000. Lifetime Record: 22-8-2-3, HK$10,007,650. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–D B Pin (NZ), 115, g, 4, Darci Brahma (NZ)–Pins 'N' Needles (NZ), by Pins (Aus). (NZ$200,000 Ylg '14 NZBPRE). O-Samuel Wong; B-Mrs K N & W E Calder; T-John Size. HK$660,000.
3–Thewizardofoz (Aus), 128, g, 5, Redoute's Choice (Aus)–Princess Coup (Aus), by Encosta de Lago (Aus). O-Martin Siu; B-Evergreen Rich Pty Ltd (NSW); T-John Size; HK$345,000.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NO. Odds: 88-1, 5-2, 13-1.
Also Ran: Magic Legend (Aus), Sun Jewellery (Aus), Not Listenin'tome (Aus), Fabulous One (NZ), Mr Stunning (Aus), Amazing Kids (NZ), Strathmore (Aus).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, sectional timing and PPs. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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