Hong Kong veteran Joy And Fun defied a life-threatening injury two years ago and will now be given a farewell tour of Dubai and Royal Ascot.

Joy And Fun (Cullen) provided trainer Derek Cruz with a moment to savour in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.  The NZ bred gelding has been overdue in elite company after seconds to Lucky Nine in the Hong Kong Sprint and Eagle Regiment in the Centenary Sprint Cup.

He turned the tables on Lucky Nine with a three quarter-length verdict on Sunday stopping the clock at 1.08.98s.

Cruz indicated the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in March is a possible target for the eight year-old.  “We have always had Dubai in mind but we will take it step by step.  There’s also a possibility we could also take him back to England for the Golden Jubilee.”

Joy And Fun went amiss on a previous visit to the Old Dart in June 2010.  He finished down the track in that year’s Golden Jubilee won by Starspangledbanner.  “But for the injury, he would have been a very strong contender that day,” Cruz declared.  “I have to thank my two boys for nursing back to health.”

Bred by Scott Williams and raised at Ascot Farm, Joy and Fun is a half-brother to G1 winner Zarita (Pentire) and G2 winner Run Like The Wind (Pins).  He was a $15,000 buy from Java Lodge at the 2004 NZB National Weanling and Broodmare Sale.