Hong, Kong, October 2 – Progressive Magic Albert gelding Bundle of Joy turned in a career best performance to down several of Hong Kong’s best sprinters at Sha Tin on Wednesday in the National Day Cup HK Gr3, the first stakes event of the new season.
An impressive winner at his first run back from a break on September 14, the David Hall trained five year-old upped the ante again to take on the likes of Amber Sky, Sterling City and Charles the Great in the 1000 metre sprint.
Under the handicap conditions, Bundle of Joy had a significant weight pull over his better performed rivals and under a great ride from Vincent Ho stalked the leaders and then surged away to win by two lengths in 55.38 seconds.
“I think when it’s a handicap race the lighter weighted horses always get a little bit of an edge,” said winning trainer David Hall.
“The horse has been in outstanding form and it’s probably as good as I’ve ever had him, so I knew he was going to run well. Against one of the world’s best sprinters at the distance (Amber Sky) it’s hard to get too confident, but I was very confident the horse was in terrific order.
“Bundle Of Joy is going to step into the big league now. Winning with 113lbs and then going against those horses at set weights is another big hurdle for him, but that’s where we have to go.”
Ultra consistent, Bundle of Joy has won six races and placed seven times from 16 starts in Hong Kong.
Bred by Jilly Henderson, Bundle of Joy was a $36,000 Inglis Scone Select purchase for John Foote Bloodstock from the draft of Middlebrook Station Thoroughbreds and is the first foal of Mr Henrysee (USA) mare Lady Starstruck, a grand-daughter of Group III AJC Gimcrack Stakes winner Screen Idol.
Bundle of Joy is the 19th stakes-winner for Yarraman Park stalwart Magic Albert, who stands at a fee of $13,750 this spring.
