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New Zealand breeding received an international boost when the now triple Group One winner Able One gave New Zealand Bloodstock graduates back-to-back victories in Sunday's HK$20 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Trained by John Moore, Able One (Cape Cross x Gardenia) was the highlight performer of four New Zealand Bloodstock graduates to win at the prestigious HKJC International Meeting.
Trainer John Moore declared after the race that the nbine-year-old Able One is in his last season on the track and a trip to Dubai is now on the cards.
"He is the most amazing horse that I have trained, coming back from five stress fractures to win a Group 1 at nine," said Moore.
Able One is one of Hong Kong's elite milers. The winner of the G1 Champions Mile on two occasions (2007 and 2010), his victory made up for last year's disappointment where he was scratched at the gates after winning the feature lead up race, the G2 HKJC Mile.
Able One's victory continued New Zealand's exceptional record in the Hong Kong Mile.
Since the mighty Sunline won the race in 2000, New Zealand has bred and/or sold five individual winners of the G1 Hong Kong Mile with Able One, Beauty Flash (2011), The Duke (2006), Lucky Owners (2003) and Sunline (2000) - a feat unmatched by any other country.
Bred in New Zealand by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Able One is raced by Dr & Mrs Cornel Li Fook Kwan and has won 10 of his 41 starts for HK$37,010,000 (NZ$6,127,050) in stakes.
Able One was originally purchased by Sanders Racing Stables from Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2004 Karaka Select Sale for $190,000.
Able One was then offered at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2004 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds by Phoenix Park where he was purchased by Paul Beamish Bloodstock for $270,000.
Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park has a draft of 16 yearlings in the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale, including the star colt by Fastnet Rock from the Group 1 winner the Jewel, in addition to nine yearlings in the Karaka Select Sale.
Able One is the fourth G1 winner for New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Select Sale this season.
The Select Sale has also seen Mufhasa (Pentire) take three G1 races including the Toorak Handicap, and Sangster (Savabeel) claim the G1 VRC Derby.
Opening New Zealand Bloodstock's account on Sunday at SHa Tin was Finezza (Handsome Ransom x Eagle Feather) who won the first on the card for ex-pat kiwi trainer Paul O'Sullivan.
The five-year-old High Chaparral gelding Viva Freedom (ex Grosvenor's Pride) led home a New Zealand bred trifecta for trainer Andreas Schutz in the Class 3 Tokyo Handicap.
A graduate of NZB's Karaka Premier Sale, Viva Freedom has now won his last two starts and is racing in top form this season. The 2012 Karaka Premier Sale will offer 61 yearlings by High Chaparral.
NZ Ready to Run graduate Fay Fay (ex Glamaine) made it four winners for NZB in the last on the card, the Class 2 London Handicap.
By the hot New Zealand sire Falkirk, Fay Fay is unbeaten in two starts this season and looks a real up-and-comer for John Size with his six Hong Kong starts netting three wins and three second placings.