Star Hong Hong newcomer Bear Hero could be set for the G1 Coolmore Stakes at Flemington after completing a hat-trick at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Bear Hero (2c General Nediym – Windfall by Last Tycoon) became the first griffin to graduate to a Class 3 victory for over seven years when he clocked 55.55s to win the HKJC Community Trophy over 1000m.  His three wins to date have earned connections HK$1.34 million.

A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase from Baramul Stud at the Gold Coast last year, he defeated Eagle Regiment (El Moxie) and Time After Time (Danehill Dancer).

“Normally I’m not keen to run against the older horses with a two-year-old,” trainer David Ferraris said.  “But after the age allowance and apprentice claim, I thought he had to be very competitive.”

Bear Hero is from the penultimate crop of General Nediym and is one of five winners for Windfall.  His older half-brother Spinning Boy (Spinning World) was a Sydney stakes performer before transferring to Hong Kong where he raced with success under the name of Cheerful Boy.

“I first inspected Bear Hero at Baramul before the sale and liked him a lot,” Ferraris recalled.  “He kept staying on the short list and then we received the green light from the vet.  I was very relieved when David (Chester) knocked him down to us.”

Ferraris said the unbeaten colt could return to his native Australia to go head to head with our leading three-year-old sprinters.  “He’s got the ideal temperament to travel.  And the Coolmore is a Group 1 so that would give him stallion potential.”