Jockey Joao Moreira salutes on Australian-bred galloper Nothingilikemore in the Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile (Hong Kong Jockey Club)
There is Nothingilikemore than an Australian-bred stakes winner in Hong Kong, particularly one as exciting as the 4YO Husson gelding who won Sunday’s Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile.
It was a powerhouse display from the John Size trained galloper, who came into the race a raging hot favourite after winning six of his previous seven outings.
The Mile has now been captured by Australian-breds for the past three years, most notably in 2017 by the ill-fated Rapper Dragon, who became the first horse to take out the 4YO Classic Series, after following up the Mile with victories in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
They are big shoes to fill, but the nature of Nothingilikemore’s performance suggests he is a horse that is definitely going places.
Expat trainer, Size, was confident of Nothingilikemore’s Classic Cup prospects immediately following the Mile: “He’s going to run well in the 1800 … the tempo’s going to be a bit different, but he seems to be able to adapt. I don’t think that will worry him and I imagine that he’d go to the Derby as well.”
Size also trained 2016 Mile winner, Sun Jewellery who won the Classic Cup but could only manage seventh in the Hong Kong Derby.
‘Magic Man’, Joao Moreira, was equally impressed with Nothingilikemore’s performance: “He keeps on surprising me every time that he goes out there. Each time that Nothingilikemore races, he’s more relaxed.”
A $40,000 purchase by John Foote from the Toolooganvale draft at the 2015 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, Nothingilikemore was the second stakes winner in 24 hours for the Aquis Farm based stallion, Husson.
On Saturday, Husson 5YO, Obrigado Mais followed up his Macau Group Two Winter Trophy success in November with victory in the Spring Trophy over 1500m at Taipa.
A Group One winning son of Hussonet, Husson has now produced 13 stakes winners including Group One William Reid flyer, Lucky Hussler, but based on Nothilikemore’s score in Hong Kong, there might soon be company at the top of the tree.
The victory was also mighty timely for Toolooganvale, who will offer a half brother (Lot 466) to Nothingilikemore – by Pluck – at next month’s 2018 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale.
Nothingilikemore is out of the multiple winning Lonhro mare, Katisam, and hails from the family of Golden Slipper winner, Polar Success.
Nothingilikemore, meanwhile, joins a growing list of Australian bred stakes winners in Hong Kong in the past month, which include sprint star, Mr Stunning, and Group Three January Cup hero, Eagle Way.
