Trained by John Size and ridden by Joao Moreira, Hot King Prawn found the front
and led throughout to beat some of the best sprinters in Hong Kong taking the
1200 metre sprint by half a length in a slick 1:08.59."It's such a pleasure to be back riding a horse like this for John," said Moreira, who has been riding in Japan.
"He was so fast out of the gate and when I asked him to go in the straight I was always confident that he could hold on."
Size has proved a master at bringing unraced sprinters through the ranks to compete at the top level but still hailed Hot King Prawn as "a very unusual horse" as he reflected on his latest big win.
"He's made gradual improvement and keeps coming up with the goods," he added. "We keep turning him out but he helps himself both at home and at the races."
Size is well aware that Hot King Prawn's last two successes have come without too much pace pressure and that a new set of rivals may offer something different when he bids to land the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 9 December.
"Pressure for the lead is a concern and I'm sure someone will come up with a plan, but I think this horse can adapt. I haven't had a chance to check the other horses yet but Silvestre (de Sousa) was very happy with Beat The Clock (third place) and he should improve for today's run."
Hot King Prawn was a $90,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Aquanita Racing from the
Torryburn Stud draft and was bred and sold by Torryburn. He is a half-brother
to four other winners including Group III winner Siren's Fury being from
Unbridled's Song (USA) mare De Chorus, a daughter of stakes-winner Val de
Grace.De Chorus has a two year-old colt by Your Song called Deauville, a yearling filly by The Factor (USA) and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Golden Slipper winner Capitalist.
Hot King Prawn is one of 12 stakes-winners for Lonhro's Group I winning son Denman, who stands at Darley Hunter Valley at a fee of $8,800.
