Vinery Stud stallion Star Turn maintained his winning momentum in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening when Sugar Sugar went back-to-back in the Kwai Chung Hcp (1200m) at Happy Valley.
Despite jumping from an outside barrier, Alfred Chan settled Sugar Sugar in the box-seat to score by a half-length from Captain Win (Toronado). He was coming off another ground-saving victory from a difficult draw in the Victoria Park Hcp (1200m) on February 4.
“Alfie has done a good job with him and they get on well,” trainer Caspar Fownes said. “It was good to snag another win for the team especially as we’re overdue for a good gate! Sugar Sugar is very honest and I don’t see any reason why he can’t continue to be competitive while going up in grade.
“We had to work overtime schooling him in the gates early on but now he’s focused. Alfie keeps him away from everyone behind the barriers and he flies out no problem.”
Sugar Sugar is a first-crop son of Star Turn who served notice he will be rising up the Hunter Valley stallion ranks with a 75% winning strike-rate last season. Wednesday’s result was the Vinery sire’s 20th win in Hong Kong.
Wattle Bloodstock bought Sugar Sugar for $250,000 on behalf of Fownes and owner Calvin Francis Tien at the 2020 Inglis Ready2Race Sale. He was bred by Henderson Racing and Cook Bloodstock from In The Moment (Keeper) who is a NZ-bred half-sister to MVRC Tesio Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) winner Autumn Jeuney (Jeune).
In The Moment has a yearling filly by Brutal (O’Reilly) being offered by Fernrigg Farm (as agent) at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale on Tuesday.
