David Hayes struck at Happy Valley on Wednesday with emerging talent when Showina, veteran of only two previous starts, prevailed in the first section of the Class 4 Larch Handicap (1200m) under Blake Shinn.
“He had to do some work from the outside barrier (gate 12) to establish the lead but once he got to the lead, he got some soft sectionals,” Shinn said.
“He attacked the line and he really had a sense of purpose about himself to win the race and it’s the sign of a horse who wants to be here in Hong Kong – I think he’s a horse that’s going places.”
Hayes notched his 18th win of the season with the three-year-old gelding, revealing his only pre-race concern was a poor draw.
“I was confident before we got gate 12. I just thought, he’s had two starts now, has blinkers on so let’s make our own luck and grab the race by the scruff of the neck – it worked,” Hayes said.
“When you do those tactics, it is sink or swim. When he was leading like that, he was always going to be hard to beat.”
Bred by Rodger and Emily Finlay, Showina was sold out of Wentwood Grange’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 draft for $10,000 when purchased by Warrior Stables.
The youngster was prepared by Dean Wiles to win a trial at Ellerslie in June last year prior to his export to Hong Kong.
