By Alan Carasso
Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) may never achieve the legendary status accorded Hong Kong-based horses named Silent Witness (Aus) or Vengeance of Rain (NZ) or Ambitious Dragon (NZ). But when the dust finally settles on his career, he will have accomplished a great deal, and he added to an already-impressive resume with a gutsy victory in Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, his second in three years.
Aerovelocity broke alertly from gate two and got the perfect sit behind the speed as defending champion Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) led from Super Jockey (NZ) (Sandtrap), but the early pace was not a demanding one. The front-running duo had the race between them into the turn, with Aerovelocity lying in wait, and the veteran was right on the back of Super Jockey turning in. Peniaphobia got the best of the speed duel, as Super Jockey finally capitulated at midstretch, but Zac Purton produced Aerovelocity about three off the inside entering the final 150 metres and dug in late for the victory as favored Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) took a dive at them late. Peniaphobia held for third ahead of Amazing Kids (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}).
“It's a good feeling because we were of the opinion that we're starting to lose him,” the winning jockey admitted. “And we know he's a warrior and he gives everything he's got and although he didn't perform at his best today, his heart is so big that he's able to give us that effort. [Trainer] Paul [O'Sullivan] had fine-tuned him and dropped the extra little pounds that he was carrying and got him as best as he could for today so he's done a great job. We had a lovely run in the race and he came out and he was just able to amble up. It was hard fought in the end, but he is all heart.”
A Group 1 winner in Singapore and in Japan, Aerovelocity missed a title defence in last year's Sprint and resumed this term with a third-place effort behind Lucky Bubbles in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 23 and filled the same spot behind Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 20.
Pedigree Notes:
Aerovelocity is one of just three to make the races for his dam, a full-sister to GSW Kapitain Kash (NZ) and a half to SW & GSP Dante's Paradiso (NZ) (Danske {NZ}). This is the further female family of GSW & G1SP Eurostar (NZ) (Star Way {GB}).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT-G1, HK$18,500,000 (£1,895,025/€2,260,450/A$3,193,093/US$2,384,386), 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.80, gd.
1–AEROVELOCITY (NZ), 126, g, 8, by Pins (Aus)
1st Dam: Exodus (NZ), by Kaapstad (NZ)
2nd Dam: Lady Genesis (NZ), by Star Way (GB)
3rd Dam: Arga (NZ), by Arragon (GB)
(NZ$120,000 Ylg '10 NZBPRE). O-Daniel Yeung Ngai; B-N E Schick & S J Till; T-Paul O'Sullivan; J-Zac Purton; HK$10,545,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Sprinter-HK, G1SW-Jpn & Sin, 24-12-4-3, HK$45,301,608. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
2–Lucky Bubbles (Aus), 126, g, 5, Sebring (Aus)–Bubble Below (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$90,000 Ylg '13 INGMEL). O-Lucky Syndicate; B-Gilgai Farm; T-Francis Lui; HK$4,070,000.
3–Peniaphobia (Ire), 126, g, 5, Dandy Man (Ire)–Umlani (Ire), by Great Commotion. (€11,000 Wlg '11 GOFNOV; £20,000 Ylg '12 DONAUG). O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Aidan Fogarty; T-Tony Cruz; HK$1,850,000.
Margins: SHD, 3/4, HF. Odds: 13-2, 6-5, 10-1.
Also Ran: Amazing Kids (NZ), Signs of Blessing (Ire), Takedown (Aus), Not Listenin'tome (Aus), Super Jockey (NZ), Strathmore (Aus), Big Arthur (Jpn), Rebel Dane (Aus), Red Falx (Jpn), Growl (GB). Scratched: Pure Sensation.
Click for the HKJC.com chart and VIDEO. HKJC.com PPs. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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