All Too Hard has stolen a march on his second-crop rivals in Australia and now he’s opened up another front in Hong Kong with brilliant debut winner Alcari.
Alcari made a lasting impression at his first start, racing clear from hot favourie Lucky Lucky to win by two and a quarter lengths untouched over the straight 1000 metres (in 56.68s). The ease of the win was not lost on jockey Karis Teetan who rode a double on the day.
“Last season, I jumped him out and I could tell then he was a very nice horse,” Teetan said. “I was just a little bit worried because he always works so good in the mornings, I wasn’t sure what he would have when I let him off the bit. But that was impressive, and Ricky always had a high opinion of him – and he would know too.” “Ricky has a great record with these threeyear-olds, horses like Fairy King Prawn, Sacred Kingdom and Blizzard. I’m not saying this horse will be as good as them, but he is in the right hands.”
Alcari (3g All Too Hard – Cariad by Sequalo) was a $280,000 buy for Yiu at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions and transferred to Hong Kong in April. His dam was a Listed winner of the Nudgee Hcp and Bright Shadow Quality in Brisbane.
Cariad is a half-sister to South African stakes winner Polished Steel (King of Danes) and a three-quarter sister to Eagle Farm Easter Cup winner Steel Lips (Sequalo).
All Too Hard has two other 3yo imports yet to start in Hong Kong, Shanghai Dragon (ex Miss Tizzy) & California Banker (ex Regimental Gal).
All Too Hard opened his Hong Kong account with earnings of HK 501,600 (AUD 82,670). He has now sired 26 career-winners to lead Your Song (21) and Pierro (15) and tops the Australian second-season prizemoney premiership with earnings of $484,520.
The Hong Kong result followed two Australian winners this week. Newburgh’s latest win for All Too Hard at Gosford on Thursday was his second, coming off a maiden victory at Newcastle in September.
“He’s looking more and more like his Dad every day,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He got back but balanced up in the straight and really hit the line. I can see him going through the grades this season.”
Newburgh is a Turangga Farm homebred for Stuart & John Ramsey from Flemington stakes winner Panipique (Testa Rossa). “I was happy to keep out of trouble and he felt relaxed before capitalising in the straight,” jockey Brenton Avdulla said. “He could have won by a bigger margin but idled once he got to the front.”
All Too Hard was Australia’s Champion 3YO for Team Hawkes before retiring to Vinery where he stands for a $44,000 (inc gst) service fee.
