Winner: Super Satin (Danehill Dancer-Mantles Princess)
Race: HKJC Hong Kong Derby G1 (2000m)
Sold for: $340,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Ivan Allan
Earnings: A$1,762,973
Owner(s): Ranjan Tikam Mahtani
Trainer: Caspar Fownes (Hong Kong)
Super Satin confirmed his status as the champion four-year-old of Hong Kong with a stunning win in Sunday’s HK$16 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Bred and sold by Baramul Stud for $340,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Super Satin was sent out one of the popular elects after a string of excellent efforts.
Ridden back off the speed by champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte, Super Satin was able to grab the back of former Aussie galloper Fair Trade as he made a run when approaching the turn.
Shortly after straightening for home, Super Satin was switched off the heels of Fair Trade when the run of that charge peaked.
The well bred son of Danehill Dancer was able to steam home and in the shadows of the post get up and beat Super Pistachio by a head.
Highly regarded galloper Brave Kid, the mount of Brett Prebble, was third, a further length back, while Beauty Flash was the best of the unplaced brigade in fourth position.
A one time Adelaide based galloper, Super Satin was purchased as a yearling by former champion Hong Kong trainer Ivan Allan and has been raced throughout his short but illustrious career by Ranjan Mahtani.
The win was the first in the highly decorated career of champion Hong Kong rider Douglas Whyte.
“It’s been a long time to wait for this,” Whyte said. “The best part of 11 years.”
“And then this horse came along and I’ve stuck with him the whole way and he’s really let down and produced the goods on the big day.”
“Caspar (Fownes, winning trainer) has done a fantastic job,” Whyte added. “He’s come a long way.”
Whyte said he elected to grab the back of Fair Trade when Shane Dye elected to get moving as the pace slowed in front.
“They really hacked up and I made a do or die decision. Dye did that for me and I got onto his back.”
“He was only running 2000 metres for the first time so I had to bide my time and be patient and not hit the front too early,” he summed up.
Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said the Hong Kong Derby result further confirmed the reputation of his company for selling outstanding racehorses.
“For many years Australian owners and trainers have known the value and success of Magic Millions graduates and more recently our international clients have caught on.”
“The Hong Kong Derby is one of the best in the world with high class horses recruited from around the world to contest the big race.”
“Super Satin was purchased by Ivan Allan and kicked away his career with Phillip Stokes in Adelaide.”
On debut the promising then two-year-old was nosed out by subsequent stakes winner Catapulted at Morphettville.
In his two other runs for Stokes, Super Satin was unplaced behind Augusta Proud in the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic before easily beating Cerberus Gal in a 2YO Maiden at Morphettville.
In recent months Super Satin has confirmed his status as one of the country’s best by a string of four wins prior to his last start second in the Group Two Hong Kong Derby Trial.
The 105th individual stakes winner for champion international sire Danehill Dancer, Super Satin is a beautifully bred galloper.
His dam, the British placed Rock City mare Mantles Princess, is a half sister to three stakes by Danehill headed by Group One winners Johan Cruyff and Spartacus.
The truly international family also includes Hollywood Derby winner De La Rose and her Group One winning son and sire Conquistarose.
