Hong Kong trainer John Size is contemplating a Group 1 start for his up-and-coming star My Darling.
The Mossman gelding improved his record to 4 wins from 7 starts under Joao Moreira at Sha Tin on Tuesday. “A Class Two win is always pretty good as a four-year-old,” Size said after the Chek Keng Hcp (1400m). “They’re hard to get and his pedigree says he can run a mile.”
The Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, worth AUD 1.80 million, is scheduled for January 22. It’s the first of a three-leg series followed by the HK Classic Cup (1800m) in February and HK Derby (2000m) in March
“My Darling is worth his place in the Classic Mile,” Moreira declared. “He’s a classy horse and I think he will handle a mile.
“He’s strong, mature and experienced. If I was John, I would run him. And it wouldn’t surprise me if he went and won it.”
My Darling (4g Mossman – Syrian Bride by Golan) was a $26,000 buy for trainer John Thompson at the 2014 Inglis Classic Sale. Initially registered as Caifu, he won a Randwick juvenile trial that caught the eye of Size and owner Hugo Hui Kwan Wah.
There was interest from several agents seeking to secure a horse bred to get over ground in Hong Kong. His dam is a sister to Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Kibbutz.
Vinery sire Mossman has 10 yearlings entered for the Gold Coast Magic Millions commencing on January 11. One of the highlights is the sister to his Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Plucky Belle (Lot 575).
