Only seven went around in the griffin race on Sunday, but Tony Cruz's raw debutant Bullish Friend will be winning his share of races after catching the eye.
Bullish Friend worked and trialled (May 8) like a big baby, but gave you the look of a nice type and he started a 12-1 fifth choice in the Super Win Plate (1,200m) behind raging favourite and battle-hardened Red Courage.
He settled a distant last from gate five behind a crawling pace set by Red Courage and had to steady off Mizzen Grey approaching the 600m. He had a barging match with Keep-A-Pin at the home turn before digging in late to come up a close half-length third behind Red Courage and Fiery Whisperer, who were separated by a short-head on the line.
The two-year-old is by New Commands stallion Court Command, mated to smart racemare Lady Jakeo. Court Command was an Australian winner of six races to 1,400m, including the AJC Stan Fox Stakes, Up And Coming Stakes, BTC Sprint Handicap and STC Golden Rose Stakes. His first progeny are now three-year-olds.
Lady Jakeo was among the best of the two-year-old generation in 1992-93, winning five times over 1,200m, including the VATC Blue Diamond Stakes and MVRC Australia Stakes. She has had an equally wonderful career as a broodmare with nine winners from 10 foals, among them three smart local performers - Able Choice (by Dehere), Momentum (by Kenmare) and Good To Go (by More Than Ready).
Bullish Friend was snapped up for HK$4 million at the International Sales in March by popular owner Wong Wing-keung and it seems he has found another nice individual, having won with five of eight starters, including the likes of champion Bullish Luck.
