De Sousa pins FWD QEII Cup hopes on Money Catcher

Money Catcher boasts two Group 1 placings. Photo: HKJC

Silvestre de Sousa believes Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax) has the potential to scale horse racing’s pinnacle.

Twice victorious at Group Three level in Hong Kong, Money Catcher finished third in the 2022 Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and also in February’s Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) – form around Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) and Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) that De Sousa hopes can one day transform into Group One glory for trainer Frankie Lor’s charge.

“He’s been quite consistent, but I think he is going to hit the line sometime and pinch a Group One, I just don’t know when but I think he can win one.

“He hasn’t finished too far from the good horses, so that’s the dream. One day maybe they get stuck behind and he manages to get his head in front,” De Sousa said.

FWD Champions Day this Sunday (30 April) at Sha Tin provides the Haunui Farm-bred son of Ferlax, who previously raced as Jason Belltree in New Zealand, with another crack at the top-level in the HK$25 million Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). 

“I galloped him, he feels good and he hasn’t changed much – he’s a bit of a pro,” De Sousa said. “Obviously it will be a tough race with the Japanese horses coming in but I think he should run well.”

A five-year-old by Ferlax, Money Catcher placed third in both the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) last season, mixing it with both Romantic Warrior and California Spangle in the 2022 Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“He’s a very easy ride, he has gate speed and he’s very versatile in that respect,” De Sousa said.

Money Catcher’s Group Three wins this season came in the Gr.3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin and Gr.3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley. -HKJC