Hong Kong, March 16 – Catbird four year-old Green Birdie tried his heart out in the Group One Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Saturday finishing third to Helene Mascot and Jackpot Delight.
Snagged back to last early he gave the leaders a big start at the top of the straight and powered home to grab third, his run peaking a hundred metres from home.
Transferred to the stable of Caspar Fownes following a successful Melbourne spring preparation as a three year-old, Green Birdie has proven a great success in Hong Kong.
Trained formerly by Brian Jenkins, Green Birdie had seven starts in Australia for two wins and was beaten a length by champion mare Miss Andretti when second in the Group Two MVRC Moir Stakes, as well as running fourth to Gold Edition in the Group One VRC Ascot Vale Stakes.
Bred and offered for sale by Whakanui Stud, Green Birdie fetched $230,000 at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and is the third foal of superbly bred mare Mrs Squillionaire.
A daughter of renowned broodmare sire Last Tycoon (IRE), Mrs Squillionaire is a sister to Group Three winner Palia (dam of stakes-winner Dr Green), also stakes-winner Just Awesome and stakes-placed Lady Capel, dam of Group Two winner Casino Prince and stakes-winner Lord of the Land.
Catbird is sure to be popular at the upcoming Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he has 16 youngsters on offer to be followed by three for Inglis Easter and five for Inglis Classic.
