The first meeting of the new Hong Kong racing season was run at Sha tin on Sunday and Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar was quick to make an impression with a winning treble led by his former Aussie stakes-winner Twin Stars, who now does his racing under the name of Chiu Chow Spirit.
Trained by Kenny Man, the five year-old gelding won his final race last season in a Class 2 and picked up right where he left off surging clear to win the Class 2 over 1400m by nearly two lengths.
A $225,000 Magic Millions purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency P/L from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft, Chiu Chow Spirit won the Group III SAJC Sires Produce Stakes at two and now has the overall record of five wins and seven placings from 20 starts.
Bred by Bowcock Bloodstock, Chiu Chow Spirit is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Star Witness mare Pearl Star, who comes from the family of Group I winning 2YO Spectatorial.
Also winning at Sha Tin for Zoustar were Amazing Run (5g from Global Glamour) and Super Fortune (7g from Madamesta).