Windsor Park sire Falkirk is on the brink of Group 1 victories in New Zealand and Hong Kong.

His unbeaten Kiwi galloper San Rafael (NZ) has the Levin Classic in his sights and Best City (NZ) is in the mix for the Hong Kong Derby.

San Rafael (3g Falkirk -Yellow Brick Road by Soviet Star) was drawn wide but made it two-from-two for Nearco Stud owner Greg Tomlinson at Wanganui on Saturday.  “He’s an athlete and the Levin Classic is a chance if all goes well,” trainer Mike Breslin said.  “In other circumstances I wouldn’t have run him from that draw but he needed a bit of ringcraft and he won’t run again before the Classic.

“He’s always showed plenty of ability and has got a great attitude and outlook on life,” Breslin added.  “He will keep developing and I think he can be a NZ Derby horse.”

Bred by Ngaire Fraser, San Rafael was purchased from Chequers Stud at the 2010 NZB Ready to Run Sale consignment for NZ$46,000.  He is a half-brother to stakes performer Miss Bindi (Don Eduardo).

Tomlinson also races well-performed mare Tip The Wink with Breslin who trains at Awapuni.  The Stravinsky mare is in foal to High Chaparral and will be back for another crack at the Railway after finishing third in this year’s race.

Lightly-raced gelding Best City (NZ) scored an impressive win in the Neogence Hcp (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.  He was posted three-wide in running but worked home strongly to defeat Liberator (Encosta De Lago) and Summer Dash (Shamardal).

Best City (4g Falkirk – Albacora by Lord Ballina) was bred by Ardsley Stud’s Jim Wallace and was an impressive winner at Tauranga before being sent to Hong Kong.

“Best City is an exciting prospect,” trainer Casper Fownes said looking towards the 2012 Hong Kong Derby.  “He’s above average, quite versatile and will get further.

Falkirk was a genuinely fast son of Tale of The Cat winning the G2 STC Theo Marks Hcp at Rosehill and the G3 VRC Gilgai Stakes clocking 1.07.90s down the straight-six at Flemington.

Falkirk stands for a $6,500 (plus gst) at Windsor Park.  He will be represented by 9 lots at next month’s NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.

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