All Too Hard has stolen a march on his second-crop rivals in Australia and now he's opened up another front in Hong Kong with brilliant debut winner Alcari.
It was All Too Hard's first runner in Hong King and the Ricky Yiu-trained youngster scored a dominant victory in the Chung On Hcp (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Alcari sat outside Amazing Star (NZ) and then dropped the odds-on favourite down the straight to win by more than two lengths in 56.68s.
Alcari (3g All Too Hard - Cariad by Sequalo) was a $280,000 buy for Yiu at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions from the Newgate Farm draft and transferred to Hong Kong in April. His dam was a Listed winner of the Nudgee Hcp and Bright Shadow Quality in Brisbane.
Cariad is a half-sister to South African stakes winner Polished Steel (King of Danes) and a three-quarter sister to Eagle Farm Easter Cup winner Steel Lips (Sequalo).
All Too Hard has two other 3yo imports yet to start in Hong Kong, Shanghai Dragon (ex Miss Tizzy) & California Banker (ex Regimental Gal).
All Too Hard opened his Hong Kong account with earnings of HK 501,600 (AUD 82,670). He has now sired 26 career-winners to lead Your Song (21) and Pierro (15) and tops the Australian second-season prizemoney premiership with earnings of $484,520.
The Hong Kong result followed two Australian winners this
week. Newburgh's latest win for All Too Hard at Gosford on Thursday was his
second, coming off a maiden victory at Newcastle in September.
"He's looking more and more like his Dad every day," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. "He got back but balanced up in the straight and really hit the line. I can see him going through the grades this season."
Newburgh is a Turangga Farm homebred for Stuart & John Ramsey from Flemington stakes winner Panipique (Testa Rossa). "I was happy to keep out of trouble and he felt relaxed before capitalising in the straight," jockey Brenton Avdulla said. "He could have won by a bigger margin but idled once he got to the front."
All Too Hard was Australia's Champion 3YO for Team Hawkes before retiring to Vinery where he stands for a $44,000 (inc gst) service fee.
