Group Three spoils for Money Catcher

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Former Kiwi galloper Money Catcher will be considered for the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin next month after the import ended a frustrating string of near-misses with victory in the Gr.3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Haunui Farm-bred son of Ferlax, who previously raced as Jason Belltree in New Zealand, prevailed under a masterful Silvestre de Sousa ride and fought off favourite Beauty Joy to land a breakthrough win for Frankie Lor.

Money Catcher earned his first Hong Kong victory with a bold front-running performance, leading all the way and defying all challenges down the straight. He won by half a length, stopping the clock at 1:46.34 for the 1800-metre journey.

“Money Catcher was the best handicapped on the day,” winning rider Silvestre de Sousa said. “The horse likes to be there (leading), and with the weight he was carrying, I knew from the 800-metre mark that something good would happen. I hope this win can build his confidence for next time.”

Trainer Frankie Lor may set his sights on the HK$34m Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at next month’s world-famous Hong Kong International Races.

“Maybe, maybe, but I’ll still have a look over the next few days,” Lor said. “This horse is always very unlucky – second, third, fourth. This time, he won the race for the owners. Really happy. We waited for the win for a long time.

Money Catcher was a $60,000 purchase from the Regal Farm draft at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, having previously cost only $13,000 when sold by Haunui Farm at the Karaka May Sale a year earlier. Sunday’s win took his earnings past HK$9m.

Prepared in New Zealand by Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley, Money Catcher was purchased privately as a one-win horse that was placed in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). -NZ Racing Desk