New Zealand-bred gelding Sakewin (NZ) (Burgundy) extended his unbeaten streak in Hong Kong to two at Sha Tin on Sunday when winning the Game Spirit Handicap (1200m).
The son of Burgundy was pushed forward from the gates by jockey Joao Moreira to take an early lead where he was able to dictate terms throughout. He opened up in the straight to secure a comfortable victory.
It was a month between runs for the three-year-old, who was victorious over 1200m when on debut at Sha Tin last month.
He has impressed trainer Frankie Lor who is considering next season’s Four-Year-Old Classic series with Sakewin.
“He’s not a really big horse, he weighs only 1,080 (pounds). If he gets bigger and stronger, he should be a good horse for next season. He’ll go a bit further,” Lor said.
Sakewin initially raced in New Zealand as Legend for trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, for whom he won both of his trials before being sold to Hong Kong interests.
Earlier on the card Cheval Valiant (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Massive Action (NZ) (Reliable Man), and Nicholson Returns (NZ) (Iffraaj) added further Kiwi-bred success to the meeting when winning over 1000m, 1400, and 1600m respectively.
Cheval Valiant won his sole trial in New Zealand for trainer Ross Beckett at Riccarton as a juvenile before he joined Douglas White’s barn, placing on four occasions before his maiden win on Sunday.
Massive Action raced in New Zealand as Tar and Cement for trainer Tony Pike and was victorious in both of his starts in his homeland prior to his export to Hong Kong.
Nicholson Returns had two trials as a juvenile in New Zealand for a trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams-Tuhoro, winning over 950m before his sale to Hong Kong interests.
