Telemon Thoroughbreds Sidestep had the rare distinction of siring a Golden Slipper winner in his first crop however he is likely to garner almost as much publicity through the remarkable victory of the heavily backed Stock Legend at Happy Valley overnight.
Placed just once in ten previous starts, the Francis Lui-trained 4yo gelding dawdled out of the barriers in a class four over 1200 metres and was some five lengths behind the second last horse in the early stages.
With Vincent Ho in the saddle, Stock Legend scythed between runners in the straight to score the unlikeliest of wins by three-quarters of a length.
“It was unbelievable, we were lucky the pace was on,” Ho told Hong Kong Racing.
“I didn’t think it was game over after the start, I just kept pushing him. I got a good spot, found a gap and took him through and at the 400m I thought he had a chance.”
Like the Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi, Stock Legend comes from the first crop by Exceed And Excel’s $1.3 million earner Sidestep.
He was sent to Hong Kong off the back of an impressive trial win at Hawkesbury in February last year, when under the care of Bjorn Baker, and was known as Captain Australia.
Bred by Gordon Stack, Stock Legend was purchased by Legends Bloodstock / McKeever Bloodstock / Ferguson Bloodstock for $60,000 out of the Bhima Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He is a half-brother to the multiple Group III winner Judged (High Yield) out of the 3-time winning Waajib (IRE) mare Adjourn who is a sister to Group II AJC Royal Sovereign Stakes winner Lawyer who placed in the Spring Champion Stakes, Canterbury Guineas and Victoria Derby.
