Hong Kong raider Green Birdie defeated Singapore champion Rocket Man by a neck in a pulsating finish to the G1 KrisFlyer Sprint at Kranji on Sunday.

Green Birdie (6g Catbird – Mrs Squillionaire by Last Tycoon) is trained by Caspar Fownes for Hong Kong owner Roger Li Ka Chun.  “We had to respect Rocket Man,” Fownes said.  “But my horse was on his feed and had settled in very well.”

The Kiwi bred sprinter has been plagued by hoof problems for the last 18 months.  “Last month’s Sprint Cup at Sha Tin was the first time he’s been able to run on his own hooves without having them built up,” Fownes added.  “He did it really well and this time he was even better.  The recovery from laminitis has made a big difference.”

Green Birdie (NZ) was sold by Whakanui Stud for $230,000 at the 2005 NZ Bloodstock yearling sale at Karaka.  The KrisFlyer was also a triumph for Yarraman Park in the Hunter Valley.

Deceased Yarraman stallion Catbird sired Green Birdie and his former associate Magic Albert garnered his first G1 with Albert The Fat in the BTC Cup at Doomben on Saturday.  Catbird also sired Catapulted to a Listed victory in the VRC Straight Six at Flemington on Saturday.

Green Birdie arrived in Hong Kong in 2007 after earning a reputation as a gun youngster in Australia.  After breaking his maiden at Bendigo, he won the Blue Sapphire 2yo Classic at Flemington and returned the following spring to finish runner-up to Miss Andretti in the G2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.

He has now won 6 times in 30 starts which includes G2 victories in the HK Derby Trial and G3 Premier Bowl.  He has also been close up in the last two G1 Hong Kong International Sprints behind Inspiration and Secret Kingdom.

Whakanui owner Tim Bodle recalled Green Birdie looked a nice yearling at Karaka in 2005.  “He was a strong athletic type,” Bodle said.  “And we were pleased they paid $230,000 for him.”

Bodle bought his dam Mrs Squillionaire for $150,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 1996 Inglis Easter Sale.  The mare is currently enjoying the pastures at Whakanui Stud’s Hamilton base.  She has an Exceed and Excel 2YO filly called Exceedingly Rich, an Elusive Quality yearling filly and an Encosta de Lago filly foal.  She is back in foal to the Coolmore’s champion sire.

Mrs Squillionaire is a sister to Palia (G3 AJC Emancipation Stakes) and another half-brother Markane (Red Ransom) is off to a good start as a stallion at Eureka Stud.  Other close relations include the G1 winners Just Awesome, Onemorenomore and Casino Prince.

Caspar Fownes is now keen to target other International Group 1 events with Green Birdie.  “I’ve always considered him a world-class sprinter.  He travels so well and a trip to Australia for the Newmarket Handicap and Lightning Stakes could be on the cards early next year.”