HK Star returns to NZ in Top Form

Media Release - Sunday October 22

Having performed all the way up to the very highest level in Hong Kong, Karaka graduate Packing Eagle (Pins) took his career full-circle with a win in Saturday's $70,000 Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua.

Packing EagleA son of the Group 1-placed O'Reilly mareSplashing Out(NZ), Packing Eagle was bred by Waikato Stud and was part of their draft at the 2012 Premier Sale. Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu secured him for $160,000.

After winning three trials in New Zealand, the youngster travelled to Hong Kong. Racing under his previous name Packing Pins, he won six races and placed in another three including the Group 1 Champions Mile.

Now trained in Cambridge by Trevor and Martin Cruz and raced by their mother Angel, Packing Eagle was unplaced on rain-affected tracks in his first two starts back in New Zealand in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m).

Striking a good track for the first time in Saturday's Sweynesse Stakes, Packing Eagle and rider Trudy Thornton sat in a handy position before sprinting away impressively in the straight to win by two and a half lengths.

Among the beaten runners was his Group Three-winning half-brotherSplurge(NZ) (Savabeel).

"We've been waiting for a decent track and finally he was able to do what we thought he could," Trevor Cruz said. "He had to rediscover his form and he showed today that's he's still got the fight."

Packing Eagle has now had 22 starts for seven wins, five placings and prizemoney of $1.435 million – almost nine times his purchase price.

Vendor Waikato Stud Ltd
Purchaser Mr R Yiu (Hong Kong)
Breeding Pins – Splashing Out
Sale Lot 453, 2012 Premier Sale, $160,000
Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Three heats for juveniles at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning and the winners included an unraced Capitalist colt from interstate that is Magic Millions eligible.
Hellbent and Cool Aza Beel Fillies Step Up to Stakes Class
Te Akau Racing will be well-represented in each of the four stakes races at Trentham’s LawnMaster Christmas At The Races meeting on Saturday.
Sad Passing Uncle Mo
A regular shuttler to Coolmore Australia in the first four years of his stud career, leading US sire and brilliant racehorse Uncle Mo was euthanised in Kentucky on Thursday at age 16 on veterinary advice following an injury to his left foreleg.
One to Watch – Seymour
There was a $100,000 Inglis Xtra maiden bonus up for grabs at Seymour on Thursday and the winner was a lightly raced three year-old that has a pedigree that would put him in the mix in any corner of the world.
Elite Stallions in the Spotlight at Karaka 2025
Visitors to the Karaka sale grounds every January are met by the yearling progeny of a diverse and high-quality range of sires, and Karaka 2025 will be no different.
$250,000 Magic Millions Debut Friday Night – Sale Mail
A field of 10 unraced juveniles will get the chance to go straight into the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a win in tonight’s $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), so who are the contenders?
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 19
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday December 17
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
100th Winner for Zoustar
Widden Stud’s Zoustar is the leading sire of winners in the world this year and racked up his 100th in Australia for the season on Thursday when the Joe Pride trained filly Moonlight Dream got the cash at Newcastle as a short priced favourite.
Eulogy Stakes Kickstarts Busy Period for NZB Filly of the Year Series
The festive season is set to deliver plenty of NZB Filly of the Year Series action, with three prestigious Group races within the space of 11 days.