TDN RISING STARS

September 18, 2016 - SHA TIN, Race 10, CL3H, HKD HK$0, , .0000

Pakistan Star (Ger), G, 3, 2013 by Shamardal

1st Dam: Nina Celebre (Ire) (MSW-Ger, SP-Ity), by Peintre Celebre
2nd Dam: Next Gina (Ger), by Perugino
3rd Dam: Night Petticoat (Ger), by Petoski (GB)

Owner: Kerm Din
Breeder: Gestut Wittekindshof (Ger)
Trainer: Tony Cruz

At or near the top of every horses to follow list for the 2016-2017 season, Pakistan Star pulled the rabbit out of the hat for a second straight time to become the first-ever Hong Kong-based TDN Rising Star. The well-related 3-year-old was the more-expensive of two purchases by the Hong Kong Jockey Club out of the 2014 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale, hammering for €180,000 with a future date in the unique Hong Kong International Sale. Knocked down for HK$6 million (€693,374/£580,209) to owner Kerm Din, Pakistan Star was a 15-1 shot for a July 1 Griffins race over 1200 metres and completely bombed the start, but managed to overcame that misfortune to record an improbable 1 3/4-length success (video). Beginning this season on a fairly lofty rating of 73, he was the 1.7 (7-10) chalk to prove the debut was no fluke, but once again gave his rivals a head start and raced in a detached last early on. Still at the back as they raced inside the final 600 metres, Pakistan Star was shifted out widest by Matthew Chadwick and threw in a final quarter-mile in :21.44 (final 800m in :44.85) to score by 1 1/4 lengths. “I thought he’d definitely be much faster out of the gate than that but he jumped so slowly– he was the last one out and he was slow to muster speed but he came on so strongly at the end,� commented trainer Tony Cruz. “He has stamina and he looks like he already wants 1600 metres, so we’ll probably step up in distance next time.� The winner is a half to Ninas Terz (Ger) (Tertullian), MSP-Ger. Pakistan Star is the second foal out of the dual German stakes winner Nina Celebre, herself a daughter of the G1 German Oaks winner Next Gina. Pakistan Star’s third dam, Night Petticoat, also took the German Oaks and produced the G1 Deutsches Derby winner Next Desert (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}). Nina Celebre has a 2-year-old Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly named Networking (Ger) and a yearling Lawman (Fr) colt named Ninas Law (Ire). Shamardal has had his fair share of Hong Kong success, namely through the exploits of Horse of the Year and MG1SW Able Friend (Aus).Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, HK$1,159,300.