Hong Kong, December 18 – Former smart Sydney galloper Ranger Smith won his first race in Hong Kong at Sha Tin on Sunday, the four-year old son of Catbird now competing under the name of Grand Cru.
Having his third start in Hong Kong for trainer Francis Lui, Grand Cru settled in fifth spot before looming strongly in the straight to take the lead in the 1400 metre Class Three event. He then withstood a late challenge from Champion King to score a short head win in a thrilling finish.
A $140,000 purchase from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Grand Cru (Ranger Smith) was snapped up by unabashed Catbird fan Gai Waterhouse.
From four starts in the Waterhouse stable Ranger Smith never missed a place, with a win at Randwick and over $50,000 in the bank, prior to his sale to Hong Kong.
The first foal of metropolitan winning Bluebird (USA) mare Pride of the Park, Ranger Smith claims celebrated producer Pride of Tahnee as his third dam, her three Group One winning offspring Shogun Lodge, Referral and Singing the Blues featuring prominently on his pedigree page.
Golden Slipper winner Catbird has already sired over 40 individual winners this season, with progeny earnings in excess of $1.3 million and his yearlings in 2006 averaged an affordable $67,533, making him the perfect stallion for trainers and syndicators.
Yarraman Park Stud will present another stunning selection of six yearlings by Catbird at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and for value and proven results they are impossible to go past.
