New Zealand-bred four-year-old Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has proven he’s worthy to mix it with the best in the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Classic Series with a strong win in the Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m), the day’s feature, at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Trainer Caspar Fownes was delighted with the win and the gelding’s ability to step up to Class 1 company following two Class 3 successes over 1200m.
“He was held up at a crucial stage of the race when everyone else had momentum, it’s tough to do what he did today – it’s gutsy,” Fownes said. “He did it because he wants to do it, he’s got a bit of spunk about him.”
The Darci Brahma gelding successfully made his first attempt at the mile a winning one and he did it in style, with a gritty triumph to maintain his unbeaten sequence this term as the HK$12 million first leg of the three-race age restricted series beckons on 24 January, 2021.
“He’ll have a bit of a freshen-up now, he’s done very well – I’ll look at the program, whether he has one run before the Classic Mile or not I’ll decide later but right now he’s done a great job for us and I’m very happy for the owners,” Fownes said.
“I felt the horse has got it well within his compass to go to the mile and even further, because what he was doing at Happy Valley he was just doing on his raw ability.
“He’s certainly earned his way in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series now.”
Jockey Joao Moreira settled the New Zealand-bred on the rail close to the speed, a hapless run in the straight followed before he knuckled down under the Brazilian’s urgings for a narrow score ahead of fellow Classic Series prospect, Lucky Express.
“He gave me the feel that he could do it when he won last start at Happy Valley – he has a high enough rating to go into the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with the reputation of being a nice horse, he’s no doubt going to go there with a good winning chance,” Moreira said.
Sky Darci was offered in Book 1 of the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling sale through the draft of Highden Park. The boutique breeding farm has enjoyed much success in Hong Kong with their graduates in recent years who include, eight-time Group One winner Beauty Generation and Gr.1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Ping Hai Star.
