Flagship Glory First Hong Kong Winner for Australia
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Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
Flagship Glory wins the Hyacinth Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse
Coolmore's young sire Australia was represented by his first winner in Hong Kong when Flagship Glory struck in a Class 3 handicap at Sha Tin March 7.
The 4-year-old, who was bred by Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar and owned by Alan Spence, won two of his six starts for Roger Varian before transferring to Hong Kong.
A half-length winner on his third start for Frankie Lor, Flagship Glory was initially a 37,000 guineas (US$51,092) purchase from Book 2 of Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when consigned by New England Stud in 2018.
From the family of the brilliant multiple group 1-winning Alexander Goldrun, the gelding could now step up in class for the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
His trainer said afterwards: "I think 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) is OK for him. He's sired by Australia, he got 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles), so hopefully the distance should be OK."
"When he first trialed he was a little bit keen and I wanted to take him step by step. We kept him at 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) twice and then to 1,600 meters (about six furlongs) today—I have plenty of time for the horse.
"It doesn't matter if he can't get into the Derby but if he gets in, we will run him.
"He jumped slowly away again and then he was on the inside and sometimes there is traffic on the inside but he still won well."
Australia, winner of the Investec Derby (G1) and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) in 2014, enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2020 with Galileo Chrome's victory in the Pertemps St. Leger Stakes (G1) providing the 10-year-old with a first top-level winner. Order of Australia followed up when running out a shock scorer of the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T).