by Jay Rooney on Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Ricky Yiu Poon-fai unleashed an exciting newcomer to Hong Kong when former Australian galloper Midori Glory claimed the Class Three Renfrew Handicap (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Boasting wins at Goulburn and Taree from three Australian starts pre-import, the flashy Shooting To Win gelding capitalised on barrier one to make a winning start to his career in the city under Matthew Poon Ming-fai.
After settling on the back of pacesetter Fast Serve, Midori Glory gained an inside run in the straight and found plenty late to deny the $2.2 favourite, Beauty Waves, a third consecutive triumph.
Beauty Waves sat outside of the lead for Zac Purton but fell narrowly short, beaten a head. Fast Serve held third, beaten three quarters of a length, in his first start since last July.
Despite being sent out an $11 chance in his Hong Kong debut, Midori Glory’s minor upset came as no surprise to Yiu.
“The draw helped him first time here, but I didn’t worry about the sharp turns because in the morning he can cope with everything,” Yiu said. “He’s acclimatised really well and Shooting To Win is a good sire for Hong Kong. The owner bought him as a yearling.
“I wasn’t surprised at all. I really like the particular sire and [Midori Glory has] been very genuine at home. Eventually he will step up to 1,200m, but I think 1,000m is good at the moment. Whether it’s here or Sha Tin, it doesn’t matter.”
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