Ambitious Dragon confirmed his status as most exciting horse on the Hong Kong circuit with a dazzling display in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ambitious Dragon (4g Pins – Golden Gamble by Oregon) gave the leaders a significant start in the straight until he unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the straight.  “It all went so sweetly,” champion jockey Douglas Whyte said.  “He came out a bit slowly bit when I asked him to go, he was in front in a matter of about three strides.”

The Tony Millard trained gelding was coming off G1 triumphs in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby.  “To get left at the start and still win shows just shows how good he is,” Millard claimed.  “He’s come from a Class 4 in such short time.  I knew there was improvement in him but couldn’t have guessed how much.”

Ambitious Dragon was bred by Pat Lowry and was passed in for $47,500 at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale.  He is by Waikato Stud sire Pins from a half-sister to Recall (Kaapstad) who won five races up to 2400m including the Listed STC Winter Cup.  It’s the family of G2 Concorde Handicap winner Needuask.

Ambitious Dragon is raced by Johnson Lam Pui Hung.  The Hong Kong Jockey Club went to $420,000 to secure his half-brother by High Chaparral at this year’s Karaka Premier Sale.  

The Queen Elizabeth II Cup win was the 10th black-type victory for (NZ) in Hong Kong this season.  Ambitious Dragon also became the first horse since Vengeance of Rain (NZ) in 2007 to complete the prestigious Hong Kong Derby – Queen Elizabeth II double.