Chinese billionaire making waves in Australian racing
CHINESE billionaire Yuesheng Zhang is a future name of Australian racing after the passionate owner scored with Yu Long Sheng Hui at Caulfield on Saturday.
Zhang, who made his fortune in the coal mining, wind farm and hotels business, is putting his hard-earned money into Australian racing and breeding, which is a great sign of things to come.
The pay off for Zhang was winning with the Mick Price-trained colt Yu Long Sheng Hui on Saturday and it will now be targeted towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas where it is currently paying $26 at Crownbet.com.au.
Price says it’s important to have owners such as Zhang who put a great deal of money and time into Australian racing.
“We need them to win, they are putting a lot of money into Australian racing and we need to win regardless,” Price said. “He’s an interesting colt, he is very green and looked like he did so much wrong in that race.”
The colt by Sebring will be forced to head to the spelling paddock before embarking on its Caulfield Guineas campaign. It remained unbeaten on Saturday having won by six lengths in a maiden event at Wodonga and it will now be situated at Zhang’s horse farm at Bayles.
“It’s a bit of a worry, isn’t it? I haven’t got any more time to keep racing him,” Price said. “Physically, he could run on but if you want him for the spring, you have to do your timing and we’ll tip him out.”
Manager of Yu Long Investments, Scott Williamson, said Zhang is keen to become involved in all aspects of racing which includes the selling of horses. He said Yu Long Sheng Hui would spell at the same farm where Black Caviar enjoyed its time off.
Williamson hopes Yu Long Investments can ultimately become a racing empire which includes standing their own stallions.
“We are not just solely breeding to race ourselves,” he said. “We will be doing a bit of everything and hopefully at some point standing our own stallions as well.”
Betting on horse racing is illegal in China, where Zhang owns his own racetrack, and Williamson believes racing in China will only grow if betting becomes legal.
“Obviously over there it is only for the elite,” Williamson said. “It’s still growing and with gambling not allowed in China, maybe if that comes in the industry will grow over there.”
Yu Long Sheng Hui won by a neck over debut winner Wazzenme and Navagio which paid $12 for the place. Race-favourite Tenappy Ladies finished a disappointing 7.5 lengths behind the winner.