The ageless sprinter Aerovelocity turned the clock back two years when holding the challenge of Lucky Bubbles as the loclas struck back in Sunday's Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint.
Winner of the race two years ago, the New Zealand-bred son of Pins began smartly for Zac Purton to sit just off the speed as Peniaphobia led from Super Jockey.
Mounting his challenge three wide down the straight, Aerovelocity clung stubbornly to a narrow lead as the outstanding Sebring sprinter Lucky Bubbles came with a barnstorming finish to fall short by a short-head. Peniaphobia (Dandy Man) held on for third ahead of Amazing Kids (Falkirk). (photos Grant Courtney).
Trained by kiwi Paul O'Sullivan, Aerovelocity advances his overall record to 12 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds from 24 starts.
"It’s a good feeling because we were of the opinion that we’re starting to lose him," Purton said.
"We know he’s a warrior and he gives everything he’s got and although he didn’t perform at his best today, his heart is so big that he’s able to give us that effort.
"Paul had fine-tuned him and dropped the extra little pounds that he was carrying and got him as best as he could for today so he’s done a great job. We had a lovely run in the race and he came out and he was just able to amble up. It was hard fought in the end, but he is all heart.”
Bred by Windsor Park Stud's Nelson Schick and Steve Till, Aerovelocity was a $120,000 purchase by O'Sullivan from the Windsor Park Stud yearling sales draft at the 2010 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier Sale.
The 8yo gelding became the first foreign horse to win the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo, the third leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and also prevailed in the 2015 Krisflyer International Sprint.
He is out of the winning Kaapstad mare Exodus who left just three foals before her death at the age of ten.
