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Danon Smash emulates sire and lands Hong Kong Sprint
Shadai Stallion Station-based Lord Kanaloa (King Kamehameha) was handed his fifth Group 1 winner on Sunday as his son Danon Smash (5 h ex Spinning Wildcat by Hard Spun) emulated his sire in the Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Sha Tin.
The five-year-old entire broke cleanly from the widest gate of 14 to sit midfield under Ryan Moore and he showed a good attitude to grind his way to a half-length victory, staving off the fast-finishing Jolly Banner (Lonhro) in second, while Rattan (Savabeel) finished another neck away in third.
This year’s Everest (1200m) winner Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) never threatened the leaders and finished a disappointing 11th on his Hong Kong debut for Caspar Fownes.
“It is a very pleasing moment that Lord Kanaloa and Danon Smash, sire and son could achieve their Hong Kong wins – it’s a happy moment,” said Mr. Chaki, trainer Takayuki Yasuda’s representative.
Lord Kanaloa landed the Group 1 twice in 2012 and 2013, and was also trained by Yasuda.
“We got lucky - he stepped very well and we managed to slot into a lovely spot, I was always happy and when the pace steadied around the bend, I was able to just move out and keep moving forward and he got there in plenty of time,” Moore said.
“He was very tough and very honest – he was a pleasure to ride and he’d shown very good form at times in Japan’s best sprints and at seven furlongs as well he’s won some of the best races at Group 2 level and he deserved to win his Group 1.”
Danon Smash is one of five winners out of winning mare Spinning Wildcat (Hard Spun) and she is herself a daughter multiple Grade 1 winner Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S), making her a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr 1, 8f) winner and now Yarradale Stud-based sire War Chant (Danzig).
Meanwhile, Spinning Wildcat is also a half-sister Group 2 winner Ivan Denisovich (Danehill) and Listed-winning duo Ministers Wild Cat (Deputy Minister) and Double Cat (Storm Cat).
Further back this is also the same family as Newstome (Goldencents).
Lord Kanaloa’s five Group 1 winners include last season’s Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Tagaloa as well as Almond Eye. Arrowfield Stud will offer a filly and a colt by Lord Kanaloa during the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which gets underway on January 12.
