Fairway's Turf Online

Hongkong Great wins Singapore Gold Cup

SINGAPORE: Nov 19, 2022

HONGKONG GREAT coasting to victory in the Singapore Gold Cup - SNTC photo

Four times a Group 1 winner in his native Chile, HONGKONG GREAT was largely disappointing when he was brought in to Hong Kong in his quest for more glory although he did win three races in Class 2 and 3 at Sha Tin.

But it is in Singapore that the son of Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky struck gold when he outclassed his rivals to win the Singapore Gold Cup at Kranji here today.

Then known as El Picaro, HONGKONG GREAT won the Guineas and Derby in Chile and he also managed fourth placing in four starts in the USA before arriving in Hong Kong.

In Singapore, HONGKONG GREAT won his second start, followed by a fourth-place finish to PROSPEROUS RETURN in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) last month.

Drawn widest in a capacity field of 16, the connections of HONGKONG GREAT had Australian jockey Mark Zahra to thank for a brilliant ride which saw the seven-year-old romped to a 2 1/2-length victory in the 2000m.

Zahra had on November 1 won his first Melbourne Cup on GOLD TRIP and had HONGKONG GREAT running second as the field swung out of the home straight.

"I drew wide but I was able to get across quite easily," said Zahra who had ridden successfully in Singapore, winning the 2004 Raffles Cup on MAYO’S MUSIC.

HONGKONG GREAT hit the front at the top of the straight and quickly put some distance between himself and the rest.

"I have to say thank you very much to the owners for giving me this opportunity to train a horse that was probably a bit of a write-off in Hong Kong," said winning trainer Ricardo Le Grange.

"The day he got here, he just showed me that there was still something left in him. I think that’s been proven now."

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	LIM'S LIGHTNING 2021 STAKES
1	CLASS 5 - 1200M
2	BIONICS	KY Young	R Woodworth	1
	(7 b.a.g Hinchinbrook - Bionic Girl by Exceed And Excel)
1	AJ Golden Sixtyone	T Mahadi	V Duric	2
3	Fireworks	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	3
6	Absolvido	S Burridge	WH Kok	4

2	BIG HEARTED 2020 STAKES
2	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
8	MIRACLE	T Fitzsimmons	R Stewart	1
	(7 ch.a.g Stratum - Golden Delicious by Made Of Gold)
2	Happy Moment	R Lim	R Woodworth	2
4	Deception	D Logan	WH Kok	3
10	Seson	S Burridge	T Krisna	4

3	MR CLINT 2019 STAKES
3	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M
6	SUPER TALENT	R Lim	R Srewart	1
	(8 ch.a.g Hussonet - El Shahar by Encosta De Lago)
11	My Boss	KY Young	I Amirul	2
1	God's Gift	D Logan	S Jamil	3
9	Big Day	J Tan	K A'Isisuhairi	4

4	ELITE INVINCIBLE 2018 STAKES
4	CLASS 4 - 1600M
2	STREET OF DREAMS	S Burridge	M Nunes	1
	(4 b.a.g Dundeel - Causeway Queen by Giant's Causeway)
4	Born To Win	T Fitzsimmons	J Kah	2
5	Prodigal	M Clements	WH Kok	3
8	Ima	S Burridge	R Stewart	4

5	GILT COMPLEX 2017 STAKES
5	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M
4	EJAZ	M Clements	M Nunes	1
	(3 ch.a.g Street Boss - Riverina Red by Testa Rossa)
1	Sacred Judgement	J Tan	M Zahra	2
11	Red Dragon	T Mahadi	WH Kok	3
5	Ricvelo	J Ong	J Bayliss	4

6	BAHANA 2016 STAKES
6	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M
8	INTREPID	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	1
	(6 b/br.a.m Blackfriars - Razzia by Scenic)
9	Exceed Natural	D Koh	WH Kok	2
2	Diamond Beauty	J Ong	TH Koh	3
6	Legacy Reign	L Khoo	J Bayliss	4

7	COOPTADO 2015 STAKES
7	NOVICE (SW) - 1400M
8	JANUARY	D Logan	WH Kok	1
	(3 b.nz.g Swiss Ace - Musically by Belong To Me)
2	Lucky Charm	M Clements	M Zahra	2
4	Winning Stride	D Logan	M Dee	3
3	Star Victory	J Peters	L Beuzelin	4

8	QUECHUA 2014 STAKES
8	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
6	KING ZOUSTAR	J Ong	K A'Isisuhairi	1
	(7 ch.a.g Zoustar - Faster Pussycat by Flying Spur)
5	Aftermath	D Logan	J Bayliss	2
10	Dancing Tycoon	S Gray	J Kah	3
3	Kick	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	4

9	TROPAIOS 2013 STAKES
9	CLASS 1 - 1200M
3	LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO	D Meagher	D Beasley	1
	(5 b.a.g Kermadec - Jacquetta by Keeper)
8	Golden Monkey	T Fitzsimmons	C William	2
5	Rocket Star	R Le Grange	J Bayliss	3
7	The August	J Tan	K A'Isisuhairi	4

10	BETTER LIFE 2012 STAKES
10	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M
2	DREAM ALLIANCE	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	1
	(4 b.a.g Into Mischief - Russian Moon by Malibu Moon)
9	Crown Gift	R Lim	R Stewart	2
5	Pacific Star	M Clements	CC Wong	3
8	Wecando	S Gray	WH Kok	4

11	SINGAPORE GOLD CUP
11	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 - 2000M
1	HONGKONG GREAT	R Le Grange	M Zahra	1
	(7 b.chi.g Lookin At Lucky - La Sinverguennza by Scat Daddy)
16	Super Impact	D Logan	M Dee	2
14	Cyclone	T Fitzsimmons	R Stewart	3
13	Trumpy	T Fitzsimmons	K A'Isisuhairi	4

12	EL DORADO 2011 STAKES
12	CLASS 3 - 1400M
2	QUARTER BACK	M Clements	V Duric	1
	(7 b.j.g Empire Maker - Last Message by Jungle Pocket)
6	Boomba	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	2
5	Ironchamp	S Burridge	M Dee	3
7	Real Efecto	D Kok	K A'Isisuhairi	4