The Group I Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday produced a big upset with race favourite Lucky Sweynesse out of the placings while Victor the Winner led home an all Aussie bred trifecta defeating Lucky with You (Artie Schiller USA) and Wellington (All Too Hard) with his half-sister set to be offered at Inglis Premier.
A five year-old gelding by Toronado (IRE), the Danny Shum trained Victor the Winner worked through his grades last year and was fourth in the Group I HK International Sprint last December won by Lucky Sweynesse.
Ridden forward by Derek Leung, Victor the Winner strode virtually unchallenged through a leisurely first 400m of the race, clocking 24.30s, before accelerating from the home turn and building an unassailable lead.
Clocking 22.18s for the final 400m, Victor The Winner prevailed by a length and three-quarters from Lucky With You, while Wellington was a further half length away in third place. Lucky Sweynesse, who ambled from the gates and was trapped behind a wall of runners to be 11th with 400m left to run, produced the fastest final sectional of 21.98s but was never a winning chance.
“He (Lucky Sweynesse) didn’t jump slow, but he couldn’t get into stride and then when the horses got in front of him and backed the speed right off, that made it impossible from where we were,” jockey Zac Purton said. “So, he just lost it in the first part of the race.”
Victor the Winner has the impressive record of seven wins and two seconds from 14 starts and his trainer was thrilled with this latest success.
“His pace for the first (sectional) was absolutely great, he did it in 24 something (seconds). I’m very happy for the stable, the owner and Derek as well,” Shum said.
“When he got a good lead, I thought he had a chance. He’s tough and very good in front.”
Shum said he would consider a tilt at the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse, Japan on 24 March.
“I entered him in Japan over 1200m, so I will see how he pulls up and then decide if I keep him in Hong Kong or send him to Japan in March,” Shum said.
“I’ve considered Japan for a long time, because it’s a left-hand turn. In the morning, his left-hand turn is better than his right-hand turn, so we have to give him a chance overseas.”
A $180,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Golden River Investments / Mr Chu from the Collingrove Stud draft, Victor the Winner was bred by Adam Sangster and is the best of three winners from stakes-placed Cape Cross (IRE) mare Noetic, who sadly died last year.
For agent Denys Chan, who purchased Victor The Winner on behalf of client Mr Chu, it was a special result.
“He was my favourite yearling at the sale,” said Chan.
“I loved movement and while he wasn’t a very big horse, he had great conformation and an incredible temperament.
“Danny [Shum] has been very patient with him and it is working out well.
“For me, it is a very proud moment to be the agent who bought the horse that has just beaten the highest-rated sprinter in the world.
“It is incredible that Inglis graduates have won two G1 races in Hong Kong in January – one from Classic and one from Premier – they are very important sales,” added an elated Chan.
Daniel Brash of Collingrove Stud was equally excited by the result, a G1 first for his venture, having consigned Victor The Winner as a yearling on behalf of behalf of his breeder, Adam Sangster.
“I prepped Trapeze Artist and Youngstar when I was Bowness Stud, but this is the first G1 winner for me and my own business Collingrove Stud, so it’s very special,” said Brash.
“He was very easy to do anything with as a young horse he just had the best temperament.
“I insisted that anyone who didn’t have him on their list should have a look at him, I was very confident that he was a good colt that would sell well, and he did!”
The G1 win comes as an added bonus for Brash, who will consign his I Am Immortal half sister as Lot 427 at the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale on behalf of owner Matt Dixon.
Dixon purchased Noetic (Cape Cross), the dam of Victor The Winner, for just $5,500 through the Inglis Digital June (Late) Online Sale in 2022 and the I Am Immortal filly is her final foal
Speaking about the yearling filly, Brash said: “She’s a cracking filly and has a lot in common with her brother, she’s a beautiful, great-moving filly and I’m excited to be bringing her to the sale.”
Victor the Winner is the 35th stakes-winner and fifth G1 winner for Swettenham stud’s Toronado (IRE).
