Hong Kong, April; 26 – Former David Hayes trained three year-old Harb made a winning debut Happy Valley on Wednesday night in the Class Three event over 1200 metres, featuring in a rare dead-heat with Grand Commands.
Now trained by Ricky Yiu, Harb charged home from back in the field to draw level with Commands five year-old Grand Commands right on the wire.
Grand Commands is a seasoned Hong Kong campaigner with six wins from 24 starts, so Harb’s effort to give him weight and catch him was certainly a good one.
Bred and offered for sale by Pencarrow Stud at the 2005 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Harb was purchased by Shadwell Australia and won two races for them when trained by David Hayes including the Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate last year.
Harb is the first foal of the Night Shift (USA) mare Macchiato, a half-sister to stakes-winner Filante Etoile from the family of Group One winners Naturalism, Star Dancer and Crystal Palace.
Harb becomes the seventh individual winner in Hong Kong this season for Golden Slipper winner Catbird, who will stand the coming season at a fee of $22,000.
