By Alan Carasso
Humble and understated as he is, even John Size must shake his head where it comes to his stable's domination of this year's 1200-metre features at Sha Tin. Heading into Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, the barn had won each of the previous five group races, had filled the top three on two occasions and two of the top three on two others. That he would saddle the trifecta in Sunday's race is scarcely surprising, even if the least exposed of his entrants Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) would prove best of the lot, defeating G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}).
Once beaten and making the step up into Group 1 company off a record-setting Class 2 win at Happy Valley, Ivictory showed good speed here as well, but was content to take back into the box seat when William Buick rolled forward on Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) to put Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) to the sword. That eventuality would have had Zac Purton salivating, and he took full advantage, getting first run on the dueling pacesetters before staving off late bids from his more accomplished barnmates. Fine Needle (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) was a gap away in fourth.
“It's a big jump actually, from a Class 2,” Size told journalist Steve Moran. “I'm thrilled and relieved to see the first three favourites in the finish. Ivictory had given us all the signs. He'd won six of seven before today and his past two were emphatic including a track-record time at the Valley, but there was still the possibility it might be one run too early for him. But as it turned out he got the run of the race and showed that he was up to it.”
WATCH: Ivictory makes the grade in the CSP
Pedigree Notes:
Ivictory is the 39th black-type winner, 25th graded winner and sixth Group 1 winner for his sire (by Success Express) and is out of a daughter of SW & MGSP Tyrolean, also the dam of MGSP Echo Effect (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). Inca Lagoon is responsible for the once-raced juvenile filly Ancient Aztec (Aus) (Albrecht {Aus}) and was sold for A$6,000 in foal to Star Witness (Aus) at the 2016 Inglis Weanling and Broodmare sale in 2016. That produce, a colt, fetched A$55,000 from Kristen Buchanan Racing at this year's Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale. Inca Lagoon foaled a Reset (Aus) colt in 2017, but missed to Dissident (Aus) for the current breeding season.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE-G1, HK$16,000,000 (£1,464,825/€1,683,955/A$2,698,593/US$2,039,221), Sha Tin, 4-29, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.63, gd.
1–IVICTORY (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Mossman (Aus)
1st Dam: Inca Lagoon (Aus), by Hussonet
2nd Dam: Tyrolean (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Yodells (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
*1ST GROUP 1 WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$67,500 Wlg '14 MMNWNL; A$80,000 Ylg '15 MMGCYS). O-Michael T H Lee & Dr Henry Chan Hin Lee; B-J Woods (NSW); T-John Size; J-Zac Purton; HK$9,120,000. Lifetime Record: 8-7-0-0, HK$14,159,250. Click for the eNicks report & five-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C.
2–Mr Stunning (Aus), 126, g, 5, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–With Fervour, by Dayjur. (A$110,000 Wlg '13 INGGSW; NZ$250,000 Ylg '14 NZBPRE). O-Maurice Koo Win Chong; B-; T-John Size; HK$3,520,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Beat the Clock (Aus), 126, g, 4, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–Flion Fenena (Aus), by Lion Hunter (Aus). (A$70,000 Ylg '15 INGMEL; NZ$200,000 2yo '15 NZBRTR). O-Merrick Chung Wai Lik; B-Miss J Henderson (NSW); T-John Size; HK$1,600,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Margins: HF, NK, 3 1/4. Odds: 17-10, 17-5, 13-10.
Also Ran: Fine Needle (Jpn), Lucky Bubbles (Aus), Peniaphobia (Ire), Amazing Kids (NZ), Thewizardofoz (Aus), Blue Point (Ire).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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