SIRE: NIELLO

A 2000 Bay Stallion by OCTAGONAL, and full brother to ten-time Group One winner LONHRO. 4 wins from 15 starts, including AJC Kindergarten Stakes (G3-1100m) as a two-year-old, and three Group One victories including AJC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), STC Canterbury Guineas (1900m), and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in his 3-year-old season. Entered stud in 2005, but has yet to produce a graded stakes winner. GROOVY is the first of this progeny to race in Hong Kong.

DAM: HEART'S HOPE

A lightly-raced 1997 Chestnut mare by MOOKTA, winning only once at 1100m. 4 siblings from this same dam are all racing, with two winners.

OVERSEAS INFO:

Won a half-mile (800m) barrier trial by 2 1/2 lengths at Cranbourne (AUS) in mid-February, with the winning time 45.40. Routed two weeks back for a 6-fulong (1200m) maiden debut at Seymore (AUS) , wired easily under D. Dunn with a quarter-length score, and was discovered with a lost shoe after the race. With a first-time maiden win record, this runner is rated 66 points at Class 3 upon his arrival.

COMMENTS AND PROSPECT:

GROOVY inherits the chestnut coat from his dam, and should perform well at a mile (1600m) or below. With his brilliant trial record, and as a maiden winner, this gelding should see considerable improvement from a 66-point start in Hong Kong, and is worth the notice.