Trainer Chris So will target the Gr.1 Steward’s Cup over a mile in January with Hong Lok Golf (Grunt {NZ}) who returned to form with victory over the same distance in the feature race of the day, the Chevalier Cup.
“I think the owner (Jackie Wong) is happier than me – he expected more. We got a good draw and this time the pace was more suitable and we got a good position,” So told scmp.com.
“Last time we went too far in front and maybe he was just a bit tired after his comeback. We talked before and I said ‘make sure you get midfield, don’t go too far’. The horse has a really good heart – every time in the straight the horse gives you 100 per cent.”
Hong Lok Golf won six of his first seven starts. He resumed this season with a third, before an uncharacteristic sixth last start. He took his earnings over HK$10.4 million (AU$2.04 million) and was ridden by Harry Bentley.
Sold by Yulong at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $60,000 to John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA), the 5-year-old gelding was a trial winner at Colac in the spring of 2023 before arriving in Hong Kong.
Written for TTRAusNZ
