Rapper Dragon One to Watch in Hong Kong

Backing up just seven days after finishing a well-bet runner-up over 1400 metres on the Hong Kong Derby undercard, Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) suggested that he may be one for that domestic centrepiece in 51 weeks' time with a slashing victory going the metric mile on the Easter Monday program at Sha Tin. Settled mid-division while appearing to climb a bit down the backside, the chestnut was pinned away at the inside and, making matters worse, was shuffled back on the turn. Still pocketed away with 350 metres to race, he responded when the daylight came inside the final furlongs and quickened home nicely to score by 1 1/4 lengths as the 2-1 favorite (VIDEO). Trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse on behalf of his breeder, Rapper Dragon broke his maiden at Wyong at third asking and was runner-up in the G3 Schweppervescence S. and G1 Champagne S. prior to his export to Hong Kong last August. He posted his first local win in a 1400-metre Class 2 Feb. 21 and entered Sunday's test off a rating of 90. Much of Rapper Dragon's family was offered by Cojuangco's Gooree Park Stud and performed well at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare and Weanling Sale. The winner's dam was purchased by Michael Wallace for A$360,000 in foal to Congrats (catalogue page) and produced a colt by that successful dual-hemisphere stallion last Aug. 30. Rapper Dragon's half-sister Swing Sensation (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) fetched A$330,000 from Rosemont Stud/Blue Sky Bloodstock (FBAA), while Swing Vote, sent through the ring on an October cover by Smart Missile (Aus), realized A$360,000 from Neil Jenkinson Bloodstock. Rapper Dragon's weanling half-sister by Your Song (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) was subsequently knocked down to Canning Downs for A$150,000, while Amanpour (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), a half-sister to Swing Dance and winner of the G1 Queen of the Turf S., was the second-highest priced lot at last year's Broodmare Sale. Then four, she was hammered down to the Rosemont/Blue Sky team for A$1.5 million. @EquinealTDN

Rapper Dragon (Aus), g, 3, Street Boss–Swing Dance (Aus), by Danehill Dancer. Sha Tin, 3-28, Hcp. (A$282k), 1600mT, 1:34.44. B-E Cojuangco. *Formerly Street Rapper (Aus). **G1SP-Aus. ***1/2 to Swing Vote (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), SP-Aus.