Benambra Pastoral stallion Hong Kong Stopover sired his first winner when Break The Habit broke through at Stawell on Monday.

Break The Habit (3g Hong Kong Stopover – Obsessive by Racer’s Edge) was ridden by Kyle Hocking to a neck win in the St Kilda Rd Parkview Hotel Maiden over 1300m.

Hong Kong Stopover is by Barathea and is a half-brother to Saleous (Salieri), a G1 winner of the VRC Oaks and STC Ansett Australia Stakes.  He is also a half-brother to Passmore (Runyon), a G2 winner of the STC Silver Slipper Stakes.

Hong Kong Stopover was a $320,000 graduate from Widden Stud at the 2000 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  He went to Tony Cruz in Hong Kong and won over 1200m there while racing as Lightning Bolt.

After being repatriated to Australia, he was purchased by Benambra owner Mary Cottrell who is based at Holbrook in NSW.  “I used him to serve my own mares so he only had a book of about 10 in his first season,” Cottrell said.  “He’s a lovely animal to work with and I think he can sire a good horse with the right opportunities.”

Break The Habit is from that first crop and his only other runner so far is British Release who was runner-up on debut at Wagga last Friday, January 15.

Hong Kong Stopover stands for a $2,000 service fee and Mary Cottrell can be contacted on (02) 6036 4140.