Elzaam’s Playa Del Puente Wins At Dundalk, On To Hong Kong

[Wandering Eyes]

One of the more inspired purchases of the year already, Playa Del Puente rewarded the foresight of Hong Kong owner Huang Kai Wen by overhauling last year’s G1 Racing Post Trophy runner-up Western Australia in this early taster of the Classic generation’s prowess. Successful twice here over seven furlongs and a mile in October and December, the bay tracked the clear early leader Colfer Me (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and that Ballydoyle rival and was staying on strongly as the former veered away from the whip into their path with a furlong to race. Undeterred by the bumping, he had the measure of the favourite in the last 150 yards to extend his admirable Polytrack record.
“The owner is looking forward to getting him to Hong Kong and the plan is to ship there in early May,” trainer Mick Halford said. They will take their time with him and I’d imagine they want him for the Hong Kong Derby. He’s a real smart horse. He’s a bit fresh in himself and raced a bit keen early on–he’s on the improve the whole time and we are very grateful to have kept him. He’s still quite light and there is plenty to come from him. He has a big heart and a big engine.”
Playa Del Puente is out of an unraced daughter of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas third Moon Magic (NZ) (Casual Lies) and the dam of the G1 Spring Champion S. third Man of Choice (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}). Her 2-year-old filly is by Dylan Thomas (Ire).

BETVICTOR PATTON S.-Listed, €75,000, Dundalk, 3-6, 3yo, 8f (AWT), 1:37.37, st.
1–PLAYA DEL PUENTE (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Elzaam (Aus)
    1st Dam: Playamongthestars (Aus), by Galileo (Ire)
    2nd Dam: Moon Magic (Nz), by Casual Lies
    3rd Dam: Moon Monarch, by Sackford
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€27,000 Wlg ’16 GOFNOV; €40,000 Ylg ’17 TIRSEP). O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Dermot Kelly (IRE); T-Mick Halford; J-Ronan Whelan. €44,250. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $73,825.
2–Western Australia (Ire), 129, c, 3, Australia (GB)–What a Treasure (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB). (260,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Pier House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €14,250.
3–Numerian (Ire), 129, c, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Delicate Charm (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). O-Long Wait Two Partnership; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O’Brien. €6,750.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, NO. Odds: 2.75, 1.50, 20.00.
Also Ran: Van Beethoven, Colfer Me (Ire), Manjeer (Ire), Barys (GB), Albuquerque (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.

 

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