Yiu celebrates four-timer with Premier spending spree

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Ricky Yiu celebrated saddling a four-timer on the track at Sha Tin on Sunday with a five-timer in the Melbourne sales ring, as the prominent Hong Kong-based trainer continued to flex his spending spree at Australasian yearling sales this year. 

The 65-year-old Yiu has been a regular on the southern hemisphere sales circuit over many years, but his name was all but absent on the buyers sheet in recent seasons as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked its havoc on travel in and out of Hong Kong. 

After two days of trade at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Yiu has spent $805,000 on colts to add to his stable. This follows the purchase of two yearlings at each of the Inglis Classic and Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales which takes his overall spend to beyond $1.7 million; the trainer’s highest outlay at Australasian yearling sales since splashing $2.7 million in 2020. 

Yiu’s active return to the yearling sales scene reflects a strong presence from Hong Kong-based buyers in Melbourne. 

After two days’ trade, buyers from the jurisdiction have snapped up 34 yearlings, including the second session’s top lot, a $560,000 colt by Starspangledbanner (Choisir) purchased by Andrew Williams on behalf of Hong Kong clients. 

The haul of 34 horses all but matches the total number purchased by Hong Kong-based buyers across all three days of the Oaklands Junction sale last year, when 35 yearlings were bought to race in the jurisdiction. 

Also significantly active on the Melbourne buyers’ sheet thus far is Upper Bloodstock. The Hong Kong-based agency has purchased, either outright or in partnership, ten yearlings for an outlay of $1.79 million. 

Among their buys is the $400,000 half-brother by Harry Angel (Dark Angel) to Hong Kong Group 3 winner Senor Toba (Toronado), who was purchased in partnership with Gregory Ho. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, under the expertise of buying agent Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock, added to their haul of yearlings purchased this year. 

The Jockey Club has signed for two yearlings; a colt by Deep Field (Northern Meteor) for $280,000 and a $170,000 colt by All Too Hard (Casino Prince). 

Buyers from Japan have also featured at Melbourne Premier for the first time since 2020. Three yearlings will be bound for the Far East, including two fillies bought by agent Satomi Oka. The first, a filly by Nicconi (Bianconi), was purchased on behalf of Inc Macys for $170,000, while she later signed for a $75,000 daughter of American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) on behalf of Kimura Farm. 

 

15 for Makfi

Chiron (5 g ex Inara Belle by Elusive Quality) claimed a first win in Hong Kong at start 17 when the David Hayes-trained five-year-old took out the Class 5 Cornwall Handicap (1650m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Chiron won by a length and three-quarters to defeat favourite El Valiente (Savabeel). A $10,000 New Zealand Bloodstock weanling, the gelding was then sold at the NZB Ready to Run sale, where he fetched $60,000 to the bid of Andrew Williams. Chiron is the third winner from four runners out of Inara Belle, who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Ruud Awakening (Bernardini). Makfi, who now has 15 winners in Hong Kong from 26 runners, stands at JBBA Shizunai in Japan.

 

Eight for Charm Spirit

Our Creed (6 g ex Clerihew by Lomitas) became the eighth individual winner in Hong Kong for Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) when scoring at the 21st attempt, taking the Class 5 Un Chau Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The six-year-old won by one and a quarter lengths ahead of Charizard (Onemorenomore). Our Creed was a $155,000 buy for Kiltannon Stables from the Windsor Park draft at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. Charm Spirit, who has had 16 runners in Hong Kong, stands at Haras Du Logis Saint Germain. 

 

37 for Per Incanto

Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto (Street Cry) sired a 37th winner in Hong Kong from 49 runners, when A Americ Te Specso (4 g ex Island Time by Al Akbar) landed the Class 4 Shep Kip Mei Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The John Size-trained four-year-old won by a length and a quarter ahead of Happy Trio (Dawn Approach). A Americ Te Specso was a $120,000 buy for John Foote Bloodstock from the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2020 NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka. He is one of six winners from seven runners out of Island Time  (Al Akbar), who has also produced Listed winner North And South (Strategic Image). 

 

Nine for Myboycharlie

Reach Goal (5 g ex Astrologie by Polish Precedent) became the ninth individual winner in Hong Kong for Myboycharlie (Danetime) when landing the Class 4 Tai Hang Tung Handicap (2200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Making his 11th start for trainer Ricky Yiu, Reach Goal broke his maiden in scoring by a neck ahead of Regency Master (Savabeel). Reach Goal was a €70,000 buy for Arthur Hoyeau from the 2019 Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale. Myboycharlie, who has had 16 runners in Hong Kong, stands in Turkey. 

 

Second for Cotai Glory

Cotai Glory (Exceed And Excel) sired his second winner in Hong Kong from just four runners when Atomic Force (4 g ex Atlas Silk by Dansili) took out the Class 3 Chak On Handicap (1000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Atomic Force defeated the Jamie Richards-trained debutant Seasons Wit (Capitalist) by a neck. Trained by Caspar Fownes, French Group 2 winner Atomic Force was a £22,000 buy for Hillen/Ryan at the 2020 Goffs Sportsman’s Yearling Sale. Cotai Glory stands at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland for a fee of €12,500 (approx. AU$19,830).

 

Malaysia
Malaysia Captain defies the odds to take charge
Malaysia Captain (Toronado) left his recent disappointing form firmly behind when he registered a surprise win at Sungei Besi on Sunday. 

Lining up in a Class 3 event over 1075 metres for his second start since joining Richard Lines, the six-year-old had gone ten starts, stretching back to November 2020, since he last tasted success.

On his debut for new connections, Malaysia Captain trailed in last of the nine runners over the same course and distance, but the AU$130,000 purchase finally showed his true potential when he cruised home by two and a quarter lengths after settling just behind the pace.

Unlike on his previous run when he faded coming into the straight, the gelding quickened and raced past the pacemaker Fa Fa Star (The Factor) with ease at the 300 metres to post a handsome win at handsome odds. Naughty Kid (Shamexpress) also passed the early leader to fill second spot.

“He’s a horse that has had issues with the barriers since he arrived but kudos to the barrier team who have done a great job with him,” said Lines.

“On his form in Singapore, we thought he might and was certainly up to winning in Class 3. I am sure there are a few more in store for him.”

Winning jockey Ruzaini Supien said: “A very impressive win. He shocked us with his very bad habit inside the barriers and couldn’t run a few times but he made my day today.”

Then known as Resolution, the gelding got his maiden win in Class 5 at Kranji at the tail end of 2019 and picked up two more wins in Class 4 the following year. He was renamed after being sold to new owners and moved to Malaysia.