| High class Hong Kong sprinter Wellington notched his second win at racing’s elite level when he streaked away with today’s Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin. |
| Prepared by Richard Gibson and with Alexis Badel in the saddle, Wellington sat off the speed in today’s feature event before sweeping home in the straight and winning easily. Gibson was relieved to see his star bounce back to his best after a couple of frustrating runs. “As I said before the race today, we were a bit unlucky in running last time so we thought it was the right time to hit 1400m and I thought he did it with class and style today,” Gibson told the HKJC. “We were actually disappointed with the one draw. I wanted an outside draw and to ride him quiet and finish on the outside. Alexis and I really wanted to finish wide today, which I think was the key to the good acceleration he showed.” “This year, things haven’t quite gone right for him and we fancied our chances today and the horse delivered.” “We’ve got the third leg of the Sprint Series and we won’t be travelling with the horse, so we’ll concentrate on the third leg,” Gibson added. Wellington will next step out in the 2022 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, his initial Group One victory came in the race twelve months ago. “He’s a brilliant horse and I’m very happy because we’ve been so unlucky the first few runs this season. He deserved a win like this and I’m very happy,” Badel said. “He’s certainly much more laidback, more relaxed than he used to be and that certainly helps the horse to stay the distance like he did today.” Wellington was a $70,000 buy from the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Victoria’s Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. He was educated in Victoria and showed high class ability when based at John McArdle’s Redgum Racing. The son of All Too Hard was sold to Hong Kong when he quickly become a star of the future with three wins from as many starts. As it now stands Wellington boasts eight wins and a second placing from just 14 starts and he’s earned connections the equivalent of over A$4.6 million. Wellington was purchased by James O’Brien and his Lauriston team from the draft of Kia Ora Stud who bred the star sprinter in partnership with David Paradise and Steve McCann. He is the first foal of his dam Mihiri, a Sydney winner and group performed daughter of More Than Ready. Before being retired to stud she ran third in the Group Two Breeders Classic at Rosehill behind Catkins and Lilliburlero. He hails from an outstanding international family of stars including Cerulean Sky and Moonstone as well as Godolphin’s local heroine and $6.9 million earner Colette. Winner: Wellington Breeding: All Too Hard-Mihiri (More Than Ready) Breeders: Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd, David Paradise & Steve McCann Race: HKJC The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup G1 (1400m) Sold for: $70,000 Sale: 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Kia Ora Stud Buyer: Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm Earnings: HK$25,948,690 (A$4.6 million) Owners: Mr & Mrs Michael Cheng Wing On & Jeffrey Cheng Man Cheong Trainer: Richard Gibson |
