Yulong are producing a large number of horses each year and one whose dam was offloaded last year for $5,500 on Inglis Digital has put together an impressive Hong Kong record with six wins and a second from seven starts with his latest victory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Trained by Chris So and ridden by Harry Bentley, four year-old Grunt gelding Hong Lok Golf has been one of the finds of the season after making a winning debut at Sha Tin last November.
He has made steady progress through his grades every since, gradually stepping up in class and also distance to arrive at his latest success in a Class 2 race over 1650m.
He charged to the line with a well timed run to snatch a head win running away.
“I was worried about coming to Happy Valley for the first time, but I thought the horse could be flexible – he can lead, sit off the pace or come from behind – so it was worth the try,” Chris So said.
“Every time he gives you a surprise – he’s such a tough horse and never gives up, he always hits the line strongly. I hope he can be a Group 1 horse in time.”
A $60,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Yulong for John Foote Bloodstock, Hong Lok Golf is the second winner from unraced High Chaparral mare Sky Island (IRE), a half-sister to multiple Group II winner Maraahel from an international Black Type family.
Yulong sold Sky Island online for $5,500 last year to Two Fillies Stud after she missed to Written Tycoon and she was one of four mares covered last year by Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE), while Sky Island’s first foal Madrean, a winning daughter of Frankel was also sold online for just $14,000 to Queensland based Yarramalong.
She produced a filly for them last spring by Tagaloa and is now in foal to Better Than Ready.
It looks as though there will be several interested parties watching the progress of Hong Lok Golf and hoping he can deliver the goods in stakes company!
His sire Grunt remains on the Yulong roster at a fee of $19,800.
