Samarkand (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) made it two wins in a row with success in the Class 4 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1800m) for David Hayes and Jerry Chau in Hong Kong on Wednesday night.
Carrying 127lb, the Mongolian Khan gelding again show his liking for Happy Valley with another brave performance.
“He’s acclimatised now and I have a feeling he’s that style of horse who really likes the Valley and can keep going through the classes because he’s got tactical speed and that makes it easier,” Hayes said.
“We’ll race him around here and probably keep him to a mile. He can go 1800 (metres) but he’s more impressive at the mile.”
Samarkand showed early promise in New Zealand finishing fourth on debut as a two-year-old in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
He then went on to record a win and two seconds as a three-year-old before crossing the Tasman to join the stable of Bjorn Baker. He added another win and two placings to his record before heading to the Asian racing jurisdiction.
