Keeneland-Sourced Son of Nyquist Set For Hong Kong Debut

[Wandering Eyes]

King Dance (Nyquist–Do the Dance, by Discreet Cat), a 3-year-old half-brother to last week's GIII Pimlico Special Stakes winner Awesome Aaron (Practical Joke) who cost $200,000 at Keeneland September in 2023, makes his career debut in a 1200-meter 'griffin' race at Sha Tin Racecourse Sunday afternoon.

King Dance is owned by Peter Chu and is trained by Francis Lui, best known as the conditioner of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), and who has had other success with American-bred gallopers, such as Hong Kong Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit); Chancheng Prince (Carpe Diem), winner of seven races and better than $1.4 million in Hong Kong; and the Group 3-placed Sunny Star (Flatter).

Having arrived in Hong Kong last September, King Dance spent his first few weeks in light work at Sha Tin, but has been stabled at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Conghua Training Center since late October. He has participated in four barrier trials, the last three of which have taken place over the last two months, including a narrow 'victory' going a straight 1000 meters Apr. 28 where he was slowly into stride before making progress while under urging to prevail (video, barrier 4).

Bred in Kentucky by the Do the Dance Partnership, the chestnut was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, to the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, the same auction that produced future three-time G1 Hong Kong Mile hero Good Ba Ba ($85,000 in 2003), himself a debut griffin winner.

King Dance's stakes winning dam is out of Loure (A.P. Indy), whose daughter Randonnee (Blame) was a listed winner and placed three times at Group 3 level in Japan. Third dam Loving Pride (Quiet American) won the 2002 G3 Prix d'Aumale in France for Sheikh Mohammed and Criquette Head.

King Dance is drawn four in a field of 12 in the Sunday opener at Sha Tin (12:30 a.m. ET). 'Griffins' are defined as horses aged two or three years old who are unraced upon their import into Hong Kong. South African ex-pat jockey Lyle Hewitson has the riding assignment.

Click here for the HKJC form.

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