Quality sprinter Beat the Clock rose to the challenge of international rivals to score a brilliant win in the Group I Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday with Australian contender Santa Ana Lane finishing fourth.
The John Size trained five year-old has really come of age this year and is yet to finish worse than second in four starts this year after finishing third in the HK International Sprint last December.
With regular partner Joao Moreira in the saddle, he hit the line hard to win the 1200 metre sprint by half length in a slick 1:08.26.
“I was extremely happy. I would say the race actually went perfect for him. Rattan (runner-up) wasn’t giving up. He was dashing home and made it very hard but fortunately we have a very brave horse. He tries his best and once again he’s done it,” Moreira said.
Beat the Clock was a $200,000 NZB Ready to Run Purchase from the Prima Park draft and was a successful pinhook for them having been originally snapped up for $70,000 from the Yarraman Park draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
He has the overall record of eight wins and 13 placigns from 21 starts so has never missed a top three finish which is a remarkable achievement.
Bred by Jilly Henderson, he is the second winner for Group III placed Lion Hunter mare Flion Fenena, who was sold last year fetching $120,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when snapped up by Harry McAlpine Bloodstock for Eureka Stud. .
Flion Fenena has a weanling filly by Your Song and was covered last spring by Smart Missile.
Beat the Clock is the third Group I winner for Yarraman Park’s much missed sire Hinchinbrook, who added a new stakes-winner to his tally on Saturday in East Indiaman.
