Waikato Stud champion Pins sired three individual stakes winners in three different countries on Saturday.

Antonio Lombardo (NZ) produced a brilliant front-running performance in the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) before I’m Jake (NZ) led his rivals a merry chase in the Listed R M Ansett Classic (2413m) at Mornington.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) completed the black-type bonanza with a staggering first-up win in the G3 National Day Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.

Returning to the track after a summer lay-off, Ambitious Dragon simply outclassed a field of sprinters under top weight.  “He’s improved,” trainer Tony Millard said.  “I thought he might run third or fourth and would have been very pleased with that.  He’s just at the start of his preparation for the international meeting in December.  To beat horses like that ridden hands and heels was something to behold.”

Ambitious Dragon began the 2010-11 season with a lowly handicap before rising through the ranks to win at G1 level in the Hong Kong Derby and the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.

“He was very, very comfortable,” jockey Dougie Whyte said.  “Then I just gave him a squeeze and he ran past them so quickly it was incredible.  He is the most amazing horse to ride.  This is the sort of horse you dream about all your life.”

Ambitious Dragon is raced by Johnson Lam Pui Hung after being passed in for $47,500 at the 2008 NZB Karaka Select yearling sale.  His dam is a half-sister to Listed STC Winter Cup winner Recall (Kaapstad).

He is featured in the pedigree of a Howbaddouwantit gelding (Lot 253) at the NZB Ready To Run Sale on November 15 & 16.

Pins is the sire of 42 stakes winners and has a 66% winners-to-runners strike-rate.  He stands for a fee of NZ$40,000 (plus gst).