News

Happy Zero Rises to Challenge

22nd Nov 2009

Breednet - Tara Madgwick - Monday, 23 November 2009

The Cathay Pacific International Sprint Trial HK Gr 2 at Sha Tin on Sunday provided a great lead-up to the main event in December, with the Australian bred up and comer Happy Zero proving too good for established sprint star Sacred Kingdom.

Prepared by John Moore and ridden by Darren Beadman, Happy Zero had the benefit of a five pound pull in the weights allowing him to forge clear of Sacred Kingdom near the line to win the 1200 metre sprint by two lengths in the time of 1:09.18.

"I was held up and I saw Sacred Kingdom getting a run on me, but I knew once he got the split he would explode and that he did. Once you have this horse wound up he goes through the gears pretty quick," Beadman enthused.

"I don't think I’ve ever been on a horse with as long a stride and that includes [former Australian champion] Saintly who was a much bigger and longer horse. This guy covers an enormous amount of ground and he's very exciting."

John Moore was delighted with his performance adding that Happy Zero would take plenty of beating in the Cathay Pacific International Sprint.

"I don't think I'll be doing very much with him between now and 13 December. He's a very fit horse at the moment and I believe we're a big chance of winning next month,” he said.

"I think he's the new kid on the block and I don't want to take anything away from Sacred Kingdom, a world champion, but sometimes you have to give way to the next generation and I believe this is the one."

Happy Zero did win in dominant style, but there was a lot to like about the return of Sacred Kingdom who had not raced since finishing fifth in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Encosta de Lago gelding had to make his run weaving through the field and will strip fitter next time, so will be no easy beat come the grand final.

Purchased by Moore from the Widden Stud draft at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $425,000, Happy Zero (pictured as a yearling) has not done much wrong since making a winning debut at Sha Tin on December 20 last year, his overall record now seven wins from eight starts.

Happy Zero was the most expensive yearling sired by Danzero to sell in 2006 and is one of 34 stakes-winners for the Arrowfield Stud based son of Danehill (USA)..

A full brother to another smart Hong Kong galloper in Triumphant Unicorn, Happy Zero was bred by Mr Leung of Lucky Owners fame and is from the stakes-placed Canny Lad mare Have Love.

A difficult producer in recent years, Have Love has had only two foals since Happy Zero was born, an unraced four year-old mare called Beloved One and a yearling filly by Lucky Owners.

Happy Zero is the first stakes-winner in the pedigree for three generations, but it does go back to the family of top class performers Cossack Prince and Cossack Warrior, the grand-sire of current leading sire Show a Heart.