Australian Cup target for impressive Hong Kong import
REDKIRK Warrior showed how strong Hong Kong form is in Australia when winning the Yarramalong Racing Club Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
The former Hong Kong Derby favourite was having its second run in Australia after placing at Moonee Valley last month and despite a slight betting drift to $2.80 at Sportsbet, the six-year-old was too strong in the run to the line.
The European-bred gelding finished a disappointing 11th in the 2015 Hong Kong Derby where it was the $3.20 favourite, but according to co-trainer David Hayes it has had feet problems throughout its career.
“He had awful feet problems, but we’ve got on top of that,” Hayes said. “He’s got the scope and race manners about him that tells me he’s a good horse.”
Hayes will now target the autumn carnival with Redkirk Warrior, in particular the Australian Cup on March 11 at Flemington.
“That qualifies him for most good races in the autumn, so we’ll back him off now. At the moment we’re focusing on the autumn carnival, we’ll have a chat with the owner in the next 24 hours (about a possible run in Perth). There is an 1800 metre there is three weeks which is temping for $1 million, but he’s done a pretty good job this preparation to get back on track.
“The Australian Cup – it’d be a lovely race and the lead ups to it.”
Hayes was surprised at the short odds on offer, but bookmakers were forced to let its price drift as support came for Stratum Star (second) and Royal Rapture.
“He was second up after a long, long break. It just told the last bit, but he stuck his head out like a good horse,” Hayes said.
“We thought he could win, but he was at a very short price, he wasn’t a good thing going into the race, but I was wrong and I’m pleased to be wrong.”
Stratum Star was game in defeat which indicated a strong showing in Perth should be expected.
Un de Sceaux was sent forward in a mid-race move by Craig Newitt and it held on nicely for third at each way odds of $23/$6.