Quality Hong Kong galloper Packing OK notched a second group win on Monday when he cruised to victory at good odds in the Group Three National Day Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
A son of leading Arrowfield Stud based sire Redoute’s Choice, Packing OK was one of four runners in the race for trainer John Moore and the six-year-old proved best when he proved too good for his rivals.
Under the urgings of star French jockey Olivier Doleuze, Packing OK was able to pounce on Aashiq inside the final furlong before zooming clear to win by a length and a half.
“We won and that’s the main thing,” Moore said. “I’m just a bit surprised at which one!”
“The only thing I can say is that he had won over 1400 metres earlier in his career and he had trialled well coming into the rae.”
“Doleuze was actually quietly confident that he would run very well today. Drawing the gun gate on that course made the difference and Aashiq gave him a very good tow into the race.”
“That he clocked 1-20.71 is actually surprising because that’s a very slick time. When Doleuze got off, he said the horse might prefer the mile.”
“The target was going to be the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse but he may well go up too much in the weights for that now, so we will talk to the owner and decide whether to aim at the mile on the 28th.”
“I always thought he was a horse that was a little bit better over a bit more ground but I think freshness was the key today – that and the one gate,” Moore summed up.
Packing OK actually kicked away his racing career in Australia (as Packing Commander) and raced twice for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes for a second at Seymour on debut in January 2010 before in that same month winning a Ballarat maiden by over four lengths under Steven King.
The quality performer was purchased by Willie Leung’s Magus Equine for $480,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud. As it stands he’s won the equivalent of $827,274 from just 20 starts – 18 in Hong Kong.
One of 91 stakes winners for Redoute’s Choice, Packing OK from the stakes winning Runyon mare Abbadena.
Abbadena, also the dam of the Adelaide winner and stakes race fourth placed Flame of Lanka, won over $210,000 during a classy career in Tasmania which included nine wins.
She won four listed events – the Tasmanian Guineas, Oaks, One Thousand Guineas and Tasmanian Stakes before being retired to stud.
Winner: Packing OK
Breeding: Redoute’s Choice-Abbadena (Runyon)
Race: HKJC National Day Cup G3 (1400m)
Sold for: $480,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Magus Equine
Earnings: A$827,274
Owner(s): Raymond Lee Man Chun
Trainer: John Moore
Photos courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club.
