Lord Kanaloa's Danon Smash Strikes for Japan in Hong Kong Sprint

Mark Smith - Sunday December 13

The Japanese struck again for the international contingent when Danon Smash gave Ryan Moore another Group 1 success in The Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Japanese contender Danon Smash wins the International Sprint - image HKJC

Coming from the outside barrier, the Takayuki Yasuda-trained son of Lord Kanaloa finished best to defeat Lonhro’s underrated 9yo son Jolly Banner by a half-length with the Savabeel gelding Rattan a head back in third.

“He has had some real good form at times in Japan,” Moore said.

&ldq

Advertisement
uo;I must admit I thought the barrier would make it difficult. But we got lucky and had a lovely run around.

He travelled sweetly and was very brave. He fought all the way and is just a pleasure to ride.”

The Everest hero Classic Legend was a step slow from his inside barrier. He had a few behind him on the turn and was blocked for a run in the straight. But he was a touch lethargic in the closing stages to clock in 11th on his Hong Kong debut.

Danon Smash went off at remarkably tasty odds for a horse that was coming off a last start second to Gran Alegria in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, which followed a win in the Group II Centaur Stakes.

It advances the record of Danon Smash to 10 wins, three seconds and a third from 22 starts.

Danon Smash emulates the deeds of his father Lord Kanaloa who won the race in 2012 and 2013.

 He is the best of five winners from as many to race out of the Hard Spun (USA) mare Spinning Wildcat who is a three-quarter sister to War Chant out of the champion racemare Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S0 whose 12 wins included the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Gamely Hcp, and Hollywood Oaks.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Sprint Gr1 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:08.45
1
Danon Smash
- 6h Lord Kanaloa (JPN) x Spinning Wildcat (USA) (Hard Spun (USA))
Tnr: Takayuki Yasuda Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
2
0.5
Jolly Banner
- 9g Lonhro (AUS) x Valkyrie Diva (AUS) (Jade Robbery (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: M Barzalona 57
3
0.7
Rattan
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Grand Princess (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: C Schofield 57
4
0.8
Wishful Thinker
- 7g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zebithea (AUS) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: K C Leung 57
5
1.3
Fat Turtle
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Pilya (USA) (Gulch (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Hamelin 57
6
1.5
Computer Patch
- 4r Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Girl Hussler (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 57
7
1.6
Hot King Prawn
- 6g Denman (AUS) x De Chorus (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 57
8
3.3
Voyage Warrior
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Chaleur (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: K Teetan 57
9
5.0
Amazing Star
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Bright Abyss (USA) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: K H Ting Rdr: Z Purton 57
10
5.5
Stronger
- 4h Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Star Pupil (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: P C Boudot 57
11
6.5
Classique Legend
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Pinocchio (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Y Ho 57
12
8.5
Big Party
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x De Groove (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M Chadwick 57
13
10.8
Tower Of London
- 6h Raven's Pass (USA) x Snow Pine (GB) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: K Fujisawa Rdr: W Buick 57
14
38.5
Big Time Baby
- 7g Dandy Man (IRE) x Royal Majestic (GB) (Tobougg (IRE))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: N Callan 57
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.