The Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington could have an international runner after Hong Kong’s star griffin went three for three against older rivals yesterday.
Bear Hero, a $140,000 Magic Millions purchase, sat behind the leaders in the 1000 metre dash before coming with a strong run in the final furlong to reel in the quality three-year-old Eagle Regiment – a fellow Magic Millions graduate.
A son of General Nediym, Bear Hero is trained by David Ferraris and he looks to be one of the new rising stars on the Hong Kong circuit.
Ferraris told the South China Morning Post‘s Alan Aitken that the colt was a high class performer.
“Normally I would not have been keen to run against the older horses with a two-year-old.”
“But with a five-pound allowance at the ratings and then another 10 pounds off for the boy, I thought he had to be very competitive and the owners were very keen to run in the race.”
Ferraris said the unbeaten colt could return to his native Australia to go head to head with the best sprinting three-year-olds of Australasia.
“It’s a Group One and, if he could win something like that he would have stallion potential.”
“And it actually makes sense to look at a goal like that.”
“He’s probably got one more win here and he will be in Class Two against some tough older horses – there he will be racing his own age, which young horses don’t get to do here.”
“I think he’s got the ideal temperament to travel him and we are going to look very closely at the idea,” Ferraris added.
In winning against older rivals on Saturday, Bear Hero became the first griffin in Hong Kong to win at Class Three level in over seven years.
A graduate of Baramul Stud, Bear Hero is raced by David Ferraris for Peter Fan, Dr Michael Mok Hing Hung and Montgomery Ho Sun Wah.
The colt was purchased on their behalf by leading bloodstock agent John Hutchinson for $140,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I first inspected him at Baramul in the December before the sale and I liked the colt – without him standing out in particular, I must say,” he recalled.
“And so at the sale, once I had met Peter and we had spoken about his budget, the colt just kept staying on the short list until he was one of about five we had vetted.”
“Once you have looked at a yearling five times and get the green light from the vet, well, sometimes you just have to pin your ears back.”
“Bear Hero was a tall, leggy type but had a good correct walk and great scope for further physical development – he was the type of General Nediym I like.”
“He thrived during the sale week with all the inspections which is always a sign to look for and sold for just about what we thought – I was very relieved when David (Chester) knocked him down.”
“Anyway, we had him broken in at Muskoka and from day one he just looked a natural, so I am delighted that’s they way it has turned out.”
From his three runs, Bear Hero has already earned HK$1,339,500 (over A$160,000) and he looks to have an extremely bright future.
Bear Hero is one of five winners, from six to race, for the Last Tycoon mare Windfall.
That makes him a half brother to the Sydney stakes performer Spinning Boy – who was sold to Hong Kong and raced with success under the name of Cheerful Boy.
Windfall is a half sister to Gimcrack Stakes placegetter Pretty Buttons – the dam of stakes gallopers L’espalier and Butt I’m Ready.
Winner: Bear Hero
Breeding: General Nediym-Windfall (Last Tycoon)
Race: HKJC Club Community Trophy (1000m)
Sold for: $140,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Scone Bloodstock Services
Earnings: HK$1,339,500 (A$163,345)
Owner(s): Peter PC Fan, Dr Michael Mok Hing Hung & Montgomery Ho Shun Wah
Trainer: David Ferraris
