Queensland based Snitzel stallion Dracarys sired his second stakes-winner on New Year’s Day when talented gelding Storm Rider won the Group III Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Trained by David Hayes and ridden by Karis Teetan, Storm Rider was having his first start since November, but had ween well prepared with two recent trial wins.
The five year-old came with a well timed run to snatch a head win taking his overall record to five wins and seven placings from 26 starts.
“I just think he’s a horse that has got the potential to go above 100 and he was beautifully rated for his ability. My only concern was the barrier (nine), but Karis rode such a great race, it took the barrier out of that. Once he got that nice run, he was always going to be hard to beat with that light weight,” Hayes said.
An $80,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale purchase for Merrick Staunton from Oakwood Farm, Storm Rider is the highest priced yearling for his sire Dracarys.
Storm Rider is the best of two winners from Zeffiretta, a winning three-quarter sister by Husson (Arg) to Group I placed Fist of Fury from stakes-placed Venticello.
Zeffiretta has a yearling filly by Darcarys and was covered by him again last spring.
The Group winning son of Snitzel stands at Oakwood Farm in Queensland and covered 62 mares last spring at a fee of $9,900.
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