Sanziro World Class in Group 1 KrisFlyer…

All eyes were on Singapore last night with the running of the international Gr.1 KrisFlyer Sprint held at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse, as superstar Takeover Target took out the feature ahead of future Eliza Park Stallion Magnus with Blue Sky Thoroughbred’s sold HK galloper Sanziro flying home late for third. Australian thoroughbreds continued its dominance of international sprint racing filling the first 4 placings and featuring 9 of the 13 runners nominated.

Blue Sky’s Julian Blaxland originally sold Sanziro to HK interests in 2005 in a deal that included Queensland based Palmaday Stud taking future standing rights for the then 3yo colt. After 12 months racing in HK it was agreed by the racing partnership to geld Sanziro and concentrate on his racing career alone. While disappointed that he wont be standing at stud, Sanziro has not disappointed on the track amassing prizemoney of over HK$7m in the three years since leaving Australia. Sanziro started the new year in fine style under trainer Casper Fownes, taking out the Class 1 Bowen Handicap Sprint in February and running a eye catching 3rd to sacred Kingdom and Scintillation in the HK Gr.2 Gome Sprint on the 1st of May at Sha Tin.

In an incredible run in last night’s KrisFlyer, Sanziro dropped out to last from the gates and was nearly taken out completely at the 800m mark when fellow HK galloper Absolute Champion snapped his near fore cannon bone and nearly fell. Sanziro continued at the rear of the field and tracked through the field at the 200 to fly home late to run 3rd by a nose to Magnus with champion Sprinter Takeover Target leading from the turn to hang on for a neck victory.

Sanziro (green colours) flies home late for 3rd in Group 1 Krisflyer Stakes, Magnus (inside) 2nd and Takeover Target 1st

"He ran super. He was only half-hearted getting through the field but when he got into the clear he really motored. If he got clear from the 300m it might have been a different story." said Sanziro jockey Danny Beasley.

Blue Sky Managing Director Julian Blaxland commented “What a thrill for the owners, Willie Leung of Magus Equine in HK and I combined to get this horse to HK and he has repaid our clients faith with his recent run of success. Casper Fownes has done a great job with the horse and it will be exciting come December in the Group 1 International Sprint at Sha Tin. He’s proven he’s world class this horse to go as close to the quinella as he did. Another 50 yards and he wins last night”.