Former Melbourne galloper Fair Trade made an auspicious debut in Hong Kong on Sunday when he was too good for a strong Class 2 field at Sha Tin.

Fair Trade (3g Danewin – Villa Igea by Papal Power) was unbeaten in two starts at Flemington in January before bloodstock agent Justin Bahen bought him for clients of trainer Caspar Fownes.

Fair Trade is a Wingrove Park homebred for Joe Vella who bought the dam Villa Igea from Coolmore (as agent) for $75,000 at the 2001 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  Vella nominated Fair Trade for the 2007 Magic Millions HIT Sale but withdrew the gelding before the Sale.

Given to Mick Kent to prepare, Fair Trade caused an upset on debut at Flemington and then returned to headquarters a fortnight later to capture the Listed C.S Hayes Stakes.
“He’s obviously come with a big reputation from Australia,” winning rider Weichong Marwing said.  “I used him up and he handled the right-handed track well.”

Fownes is already looking to the future with Fair Trade.  “They only get a couple of chances before the big races come around next season,” he said.  “Having him fit enough to win in June will mean he’ll be forward in condition and that will give us an advantage in trying to get into the bigger races.”

Wingrove Park has a 2yo half-sister and a yearling half-sister to Fair Trade by Kempinsky and their dam was covered by Artie Schiller last year.