Kildonan's full brother wins in Hong Kong.

Hawkes Bay wins first leg of intra-port race

Report: Hong Kong, Sunday
Sha Tin: Hong Kong Macau Trophy(Group 3)

HAWKES BAY earned his fifth career victory in the sixth running of Group 3 Hong Kong Macau Trophy, first leg of an annual intra-port race between Hong Kong and Macau, at Sha Tin on Sunday.

But with the increase in rating after the race, he is already not qualified to go over to Macau to compete in the Macau Hong Kong Trophy next month.

As Regency Dragon set a fast pace up front, Hawkes Bay was reserved to tenth place by jockey Brett Prebble, and then started to accelerate in the early stretch. He finally passed his opponents to lead with about 150 meters to go, and hung on the late charge by Express Win to win by a head. Regency Horse still maintain the third place.

The finishing time of the 1400 meters on the turf track, rated as good to yielding, was 1 minute 22.14 seconds.

Although Hawkes Bay is already seven year old, and has been in Hong Kong for four seasons, this is his first black type win.

Trainer David Hall said: "Lately he raced withtop horses such as Viva Pataca and Fellowships, and seldom lost by far. Judging from that, he certainly good enough to compete with these companies.

"I gave him a break after the Hong Kong Cup last December, which made him recovered totally and fresh enough for this race. Even though he carried top weight, the fast early pace and perfect ride of Prebble were in his favour."

Nevertheless, Hawkes Bay is going to follow the footsteps made by Helene Pillaging four years ago, to run in the second leg of the series after winning the first.

Hall added: "I'd love to send him to Macau. But after the race his rating will pass 115 points that makes him not qualified for it. I have to concentrate him running in local races. It means he may face Viva Pataca or other top horses again."

In The Ewo Challenge Trophy, another feature event of the day, One Wee Acorn, a three-year-old full brother of top South African racehorse Kildonan, easily beat his 13 opponents by one length.

Trainer David Ferraris said: "He's just a three year old. He is going to improve a lot more next season."