An emphatic all-the-way victory at Ruakaka last Saturday earned Human Torch (NZ) a ticket to Hong Kong for his future racing career.

Human Torch (4g Danzero – Pushing Boundaries by Zeditave) had indicated a win was just around the corner after two recent placings at the north-east coastal circuit.  “He deserved that win as he had run into a couple of very nice types and hadn’t been disgraced so we thought he would be hard to beat on the weekend,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

“I’ve had three horses in the stable for his owner Raymond Chow, but I’m left with only one now as Human Torch and O’Mighty Thor (Iffraaj) will both be heading to Hong Kong.

“Not that I’m complaining though as the Sakhee’s Secret gelding we have left is a real cracker and might turn out to be the best of the three.”

Ritchie was disappointed his former New Zealand Cup winner My Scotsgrey (NZ) was a scratching on the weekend but is delighted the issue wasn’t with the Golan gelding’s troublesome tendons.

“He had a stone bruise that burst open on Sunday morning so it wasn’t a big issue but he wasn’t right to run so we scratched him,” he explained.  “He will now go around in a similar race there next week as he needs the racing if we are going to get him ready for another crack at the New Zealand Cup.”

Ritchie also reported that classy mare Zurella (NZ) was coming along nicely in her preparation for a return to racing which will be in Melbourne where she will target a fillies and mares event on Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington.

The daughter of Zabeel has the G1 Myer Classic on Victorian Derby Day as her major target this campaign.

The 2013-14 Hong Kong racing season commences this Sunday, September 8 and, apart from Human Torch and O’Mighty Thor, the list of NZ exports and their new trainers includes:

CHEVAL ROYALE  Volksraad / Queen Of Avalon   J Moore
SPINNING DANCER Commands / Annie Daly  S Woods
FOXSPUR Flying Spur / Foxwood  R Gibson
PAPPA RAGAZZO  Patapan / Chatham Miss   J Moore
KING WILLEM  Shamardal / Golconda    J Size
AMBITIOUS CHAMPION  Zed / Simply Sally   A Millard

Alamosa / Tully Lass  K W Lui
Bachelor Duke / Ohgoditzher  A Lee
Darci Brahma / Gold Class   A Millard
Elusive City / Head Enfilade   Y Tsui
Elusive City / Snaabelle    J Size

Exceed And Excel / Power And Might   C Yip
Guillotine / Reflection  A Schutz
No Excuse Needed / Forewarned   P Yiu
Pins / Velvet And Satin   T Yung
Sakhee’s Secret / Dantessa   P O’Sullivan

Shinko King / Goldsmith    R Gibson
Snippetson / Matter Of Habit    W So
Towkay / Melanie   C Yip
Towkay / Zalass   A Schutz