Bargain priced sire Sebring Sun has done a remarkable job with small numbers for Craig Ruttley’s Glenthorne Park Thoroughbreds and while his 25 lifetime winners from 41 runners have all come in Australia, that is set to change in 2025 with the export to Hong Kong of two of his promising three year-olds.
A Tweet issued on Monday by Hong Kong race caller Tom Wood detailed a plane load of Aussie bred horses arriving in Hong Kong and on the list was a pair of Sebring Sun’s.
Acappella Nova has done a fine job for leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan with two wins at Eagle Farm and Doomben following a debut third through September and October.
A striking chestnut with plenty of talent, it’s hard not to see Acappella Nova making a good impression in Hong Kong for his new trainer Frankie Lor.
A full brother to metro winners Acappella Sun and Acappella Moon, Acappella Nova may well further enhance the record of his dam In Unison, who produced another colt this spring by Sebring Sun and is back in foal to him again.
Flying a little under the radar is unraced three year-old gelding Basher, who looks to have been a very successful project for the Collett family and will be an interesting addition for the Danny Shum stable.
A full brother to four time winner Sumo Fish, he was purchased for $10,000 at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale from the Kooringal Stud draft by Collett Racing Stables.
Basher won his only barrier trial at Warwick Farm on September 13 by two and a half lengths when ridden by Jason Collett, a performance that would have been the catalyst for his sale to Hong Kong.