All Too Hard has stolen a march on his second-crop rivals in Australia and he’s opened up another front in Hong Kong with brilliant debut winner Alcari.

The Ricky Yiu-trained youngster scored a dominant victory in the Chung On Hcp (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.  He sat outside Amazing Star (NZ) and then dropped the odds-on favourite down the straight

“I had confidence in the horse so I only gave him one trial,” Yiu said.  “I’ve always liked him and wanted the owner – Tam Kwok Cheung – to get a good horse because he has been very loyal to me.

“Alcari’s been on the right path the whole way and he’s a good doer.  But if you go in his box he will fight you.  He’s got a bit of character.”

All Too Hard has now sired 26 career-winners to lead Your Song (21) and Pierro (15).  He also tops the Australian second-season prizemoney premiership with earnings of $484,520.

Alcari (3g All Too Hard – Cariad by Sequalo) was a $280,000 buy for Yiu at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions and transferred to Hong Kong in April.  His dam was a Listed winner of the Nudgee Hcp and Bright Shadow Quality in Brisbane.

Cariad is a half-sister to South African stakes winner Polished Steel (King of Danes) and a three-quarter sister to Eagle Farm Easter Cup winner Steel Lips (Sequalo).

“I knew he was a nice horse but I didn’t know what he would do when I actually let him off the bit,” winning jockey Karis Teetan admitted.  “Ricky is very good at developing these young horses and didn’t want too much pressure on him before race-day.

“That win was impressive and Ricky has always had a high opinion of him.  He has a great record with horses like Fairy King Prawn and Sacred Kingdom.  I’m not saying this horse will be as good as them, but he is in the right hands.”

The Hong Kong result followed Newburgh’s latest win for All Too Hard at Gosford on Thursday.  He was coming off a maiden victory at Newcastle in September.

“He’s looking more and more like his Dad every day,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.  “He got back but balanced up in the straight and really hit the line.  I can see him going through the grades this season.

Newburgh is a Turangga Farm homebred for Stuart & John Ramsey from Flemington stakes winner Panipique (Testa Rossa).  “I was happy to keep out of trouble and he felt relaxed before capitalising in the straight,” jockey Brenton Avdulla said.  “He could have by a bigger margin because he idled once in front.”

All Too Hard was Australia’s Champion 3YO for Team Hawkes before retiring to Vinery where he stands for a $44,000 (inc gst) service fee.

ALCARI