By Alan Carasso
Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}, who outran his pedigree to place in the first two legs of the 4-Year-Old series in 2016, looks to have found himself a home at extended sprint trips and earned his first victory at pattern level with a smooth success in Sunday's Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. at Sha Tin.
On the board in the Classic Mile and the Classic Cup (1800m), Blizzard failed to stay the 10 furlongs of the Derby and had been campaigned at 1200-1400m in five starts since. Third on seasonal debut in a Class 1 Sept. 3, he was a wide-trip, no-cover fifth, beaten under two lengths by Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 23. Third to Racing Supernova (Aus) (Duporth {Aus}) over this trip Nov. 12, he bounced back to land the always-productive C1 on the international races undercard Dec. 11.
Getting 12 pounds from the likes of G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile third Joyful Trinity and Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet), Blizzard firmed into favoritism late and was snagged back to the tail of the field as Dashing Fellow (Aus) (Duporth {Aus}) overhauled Beauty Flame (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) to lead approaching the first corner. Racing Supernova advanced to inject additional pace midway on the circle and while Joyful Trinity (Ire) (Zanzibari) would try his luck up the fence, Joao Moreira peeled Blizzard out and around last year's Classic Mile winner Sun Jewellery (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) for a clear shot down the center. In perhaps the most professional run of his career, Blizzard descended on the lead 200m from home and raced away to a handy score from Dashing Fellow. Joyful Trinity lacked a kick under 133 pounds and finished a respectable third.
Said winning trainer Ricky Yiu, “He's improved, he's better than last time; you can see that in the style of his win today–the way he did it today was good to watch. He's always been a lovely horse, he's always trying to please and that win last time gave him a boost.”
Yiu said Blizzard would be considered for the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) Jan. 30, with the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) Feb. 26 also a potential target.
Pedigree Notes:
Produced by a half-sister to G1 Brisbane Cup winner Danestorm (Aus) (Danehill), the Victorian-bred Blizzard was knocked down to Yiu for A$75,000 at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the consignment of Bellerive Stud, agent. Starcraft is the sire of 10 runners in Hong Kong, including the promising Jing Jing Win (Aus), the HK$8.5-million topper from the 2016 Hong Kong International Sale and winner in two of three starts to date. The winner's dam is represented by the 2-year-old Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}), an NZ$210,000 purchase out of the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale by Australian Bloodstock/Lees Racing, and a yearling filly by 2013 G1 Australian Guineas winner Ferlax (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), who is consigned by Haunui Farm as hip 1062 to the upcoming NZB Select Yearling Sale. Stormy Choice was most recently bred back Haunui Farm's Ferlax.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP H.-G3, HK$3,000,000 (£315,410/€368,968/A$536,338/US$386,859), Sha Tin, 1-1, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.22, gd/fm.
1–#@BLIZZARD (AUS), 121, g, 5, by Starcraft (NZ)
1st Dam: Stormy Choice (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus)
2nd Dam: Shalbourne, by Nureyev
3rd Dam: Copperama (Aus), by *Comeram
(A$75,000 Ylg '13 INGMEL). O-Infinitude Syndicate; B-G S A Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Vic); T-Ricky Yiu; J-Joao Moreira; HK$1,710,000. Lifetime Record: 21-8-3-4, HK$11,756,180. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dashing Fellow (Aus), 119, g, 5, Duporth (Aus)–Moon Fever (Aus), by Fusaichi Pegasus. (A$160,000 Ylg '13 INGEAS). O-Dr Philip Ho, Dr Ernest Yau & Dr Joseph Pang; B-Springton Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (Qld); T-John Moore; HK$660,000.
3–Joyful Trinity (Ire), 133, g, 5, Zanzibari–Bargouzine, by Stravinsky. O-Lai Wai Chi; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS; T-John Moore; HK$345,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, NK. Odds: 8-5, 15-1, 11-5.
Also Ran: Contentment (Aus), Racing Supernova (Aus), Beauty Flame (Ire), Sun Jewellery (Aus). Scratched: Mr Bogart (Aus).
Click for the HKJC.com chart and VIDEO. HKJC.com PPs. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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