A $430,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale purchase in 2017, Reliable Man (GB) gelding Reliable Team scored his biggest win to date when taking out the Group II The Bochk Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Stakes-placed three times previously, the Franky Lor trained six year-old led all the way for Derek Leung to win by a neck taking his overall record to seven wins and eight placings from 28 starts.
“We were always trying to get him to lead in the race and he got a bit lucky, there was no pressure on us to go too quick,” Leung said.
“So, the horse was quite relaxed and he’s very fit.
“Step by step, we build the speed up. He responded very well and I think we were very lucky.
“The other horses didn’t give us any pressure, so we saved some strength for the last quarter (400m). I think 2400 (metres) will be even better for him.”
Frankie Lor, who leads the trainers’ championship with 21 wins for the term, said while he had entered Reliable Team for both the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Vase (2400m), he has a preference for the longer trip.
“I enter him both, but I think 2400m should be better for him,” Lor said.
“We need to keep the horse in good form and then we’ll see.”
Reliable Team was originally passed in at Karaka Book 1 by Mapperley Stud and was then re-offered at the Ready to Run by Phoenix Park where he was secured by Upper Bloodstock for $430,000 making him the second highest priced horse sold at the sale.
He is the best of six winners from Stella D’Oro, a winning half-sister by Faltaat(USA) to Group winners Aquidity and The Sportsman.
Reliable Team is the 18th stakes-winner for Westbury Stud’s proven Group I sire Reliable Man, who stands at a fee of $17,500.
