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Mighty Giant lands The Chairman's Trophy
The Oaklands Stud-based stallion Power (Oasis Dream) sired his 18th stakes winner on Monday courtesy of the New Zealand-bred Mighty Giant’s (5 g ex Wanderov by Ustinov) shock win in the Chairman's Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m) at Sha Tin.
Last seen finishing third in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (Gr 1, 1400m) on February 21, the five-year-old gelding - who was ridden by Neil Callan - led all the way in the Group 2, to score a half a length win over Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt). More Than This (Dutch Art) was a further length and three-quarters away in third.
The gelding broke evenly from barrier two, rolling to the front at the 1100 metre mark and from there the five-year-old was never headed on his way to a gritty half-length success under a fierce Callan drive, clocking 1m 35.06 seconds with a 22.46 second final 400 metres.
The gelding has now won seven of his 15 starts and earned HK$10,126,360 in career prize-money.
“It was a small field, anything could happen and the horse (Ka Ying Star) who was expected to lead was scratched, so then we had a soft lead,” Yiu said.
“The key with this horse is he needs a jockey who knows him, who can keep his momentum and his rhythm because he has such a big stride,” the handler said.
Yiu, last season’s champion trainer, indicated an expected FWD Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) tilt on April 25 as the gelding’s next assignment.
“We’re entered for the FWD Champions Mile, but this horse, he’s just a lovely horse to train, he never runs a bad race.
“A bit of cut in the ground helps the horse, a little bit of moisture but we were always going to lead or sit close to the speed.”
The gelding is one of three winners of as many foals to race out of the unplaced Ustinov (Seeking The Gold) mare Wanderov, making him the first stakes winner in two generations of his family, while further back this is the same pedigree as Listed scorer Bonded (Star Way).
Having missed to Tavistock (Montjeu) in 2016, Wanderov has not been served since and Mighty Giant is her most recent produce.
Mighty Giant becomes the first stakes winner for Power in Hong Kong and he has sired six winners in the region from just 14 starters.