Thunder Fantasy will be aiming to go one better than his sire when he lines up in Sunday’s (18 January) HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Series which is this year worth a race record HK$8 million.
Trainer John Size’s sole representative in the 1600m feature may have failed to strike in two Hong Kong starts to date, but the import boasts high-class form in Australia and has the pedigree to snare success. Thunder Fantasy is a son of Lucky Owners who, back in the 2003/2004 season, sandwiched a runner-up finish in the Hong Kong Classic Mile between famous victories in the G1 Hong Kong Mile and HKG1 Hong Kong Derby.
Thunder Fantasy’s three Australian wins include last February’s G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, and he also made the frame three times at G1 level in the Victoria Derby (2500m), Australian Guineas (1600m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
The bay colt ran well for Joao Moreira on his Sha Tin debut when a solid fourth in a warm Class 2 on 14 December, and kept on for sixth in a muddling Class 2 over the same course and distance on 4 January. In the latter of those races, Thunder Fantasy finished a shade adrift of two of Sunday’s leading rivals, the Richard Gibson-trained Giant Treasure (3rd) and Beauty Only (4th) from the Tony Cruz stable.
Karis Teetan was in the plate for that most recent effort and the Mauritian lightweight believes the four-year-old has more in his locker.
“I’ve trialled him and I rode him last time, and I think he’s a horse that has so much ability. I think he’s a really smart horse,” said Teetan who, like Size, is seeking a first Classic Mile triumph.
“His first-up run was very good and last time they went far too slow for him; he had his head down and he was travelling but he can’t do that canter and sprint - it’s not his style. In a small field, if he can have it his own way, it might be good for him.
“He has a good action and last time I had to sit on him too long because it was so slow, but he feels to me like a smart horse. He’s got a lot to improve but I think he’s got a lot that he can show people, that he’s got the ability.”
A field of 11 will go to post of the first big test of the four-year-old generation, including the exciting grey Divine Calling, the mount of Joao Moreira.
John Moore pulled off a vintage one-two last year with the brilliant duo of Able Friend and Designs On Rome and this year he looks to Arpinati, Savvy Nature and Helene Happy Star. Caspar Fownes is seeking a second win in the race after Lucky Nine obliged in 2011, and this time the trainer will saddle the talented Gun Pit and last season’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club fifth Gonna Run. The Cruz-trained Anticipation and the Me Tsui-trained Flying Moochi complete the line-up.
The three-race Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Series also consists of the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on Sunday, 15 February and the HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday, 15 March.
