Star Hong Kong sprinter Eagle Regiment scored the biggest win of his career and the first Group One win for his trainer when he scored a thrilling success in last night’s Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m).
Positioned just off the speed for much of the race, Eagle Regiment responded to the urgings of Olivier Doleuze to win a thrilling renewal of the feature sprint.
The win was the first at racing’s elite level for top conditioner Manfred Man.
“To win a first Group One race is exciting and I’m very happy,” Man said.
“He is a 1000 metre specialist, so I told the owner we would come here and try our best to see what happens but his rating was 106, coming out of handicaps, and that’s a long way below 127 (Sacred Kingdom) – we couldn’t be confident.”
“I think the rain helped him, he handles soft ground and he’s very consistent at the distance.”
“Where we go next depends on the programme. I have no choice but to go to 1200 metres with him – there is a question mark over the distance after his one try, but he lost a shoe that time so I need to enter him to see how he goes.”
Winning rider Olivier Doleuze said the classy sprinter deserved the success at Group One level.
“He’s a very nice horse and he has been really consistent over his career,” the star French rider said.
“Over 1000 metres he is a different horse, he is very good but now they will have to stretch him out.”
“I think that will be no problem but only the future will tell us. Last time when he ran over 1200 he had to carry quite a bit of weight.”
Eagle Regiment was bred in Western Australia by Tracy Knotts’ Sovereign Stud and sold through that draft for $100,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
The colt was then prepared and sold for $150,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale at the Gold Coast where he was snapped up by Manfred Man.
Eagle Regiment is the second stakes winner for his dam, the six time winning Bureaucracy mare Fire Lake following in the hoofsteps of Supremacy Stakes winner Royal Fire.
The latest yearling from the mare, a cracking black or brown colt by Rocket Man’s sire Viscount, is catalogued as lot 92 for next month’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
“He is a very, very nice colt,” Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett said. “His dam is an outstanding producer and this colt is an outstanding prospect.”
The 2012 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale will be held at the Belmont Park Sales Complex from February 14.
Winner: Eagle Regiment
Breeding: El Moxie-Fire Lake (Bureaucracy)
Race: HKJC Centenary Sprint Cup G1 (1000m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Sovereign Stud
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $150,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Doyle & Associates
Buyer: Manfred Man
Earnings: $722,634
Owner(s): Chang Ka Shing
Trainer: Manfred Man
Photos courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club.
