Zhang Yuesheng’s high-profile import Ramadan will leave Hong Kong and continue his career in Australia after only three runs at Sha Tin.
Ramadan carried Zhang’s green and white Yulong silks to victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp last October before shipping to Hong Kong where he contested the G1 Hong Kong Mile under trainer James Ferguson’s name. Last place in that Sha Tin feature did not deter connections and the colt moved into trainer Mark Newnham’s stable as a potential Hong Kong Classic Series candidate.
But Ramadan was unable to recapture his best form in the Hong Kong environment and it was soon clear that a Hong Kong Derby campaign was unlikely. In two starts this month for Newnham, the four-year-old was 10th over 1400m and seventh at a mile, both Class 2 handicaps.
“He is going to Australia,” Newnham told Idol Horse. “I thought if he stayed here, he probably wouldn’t get the suitable tracks. The owners were of the same opinion that he will get his chance back in Australia.”
Ramadan raced in France for the Christopher Head stable prior to his Hong Kong relocation, racing 10 times for five wins on ground ranging from heavy to good-to-soft.
Zhang’s Yulong operation is one of the biggest in the world, with horses racing across Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. The owner has another prospect just arrived in training with Newnham and Ramadan’s departure means Zhang will qualify for a replacement permit to bring in another PP (Private Purchase).
“They have had another one that has come out of quarantine called Reach The Peak, it’s a nice horse that was with Peter Moody [in Australia]. It won impressively,” Newnham said.
Reach The Peak broke his maiden at Caulfield at his third start, back in December, and at that time was being put forward as a possible South Australian and Queensland Derby prospect.
“(Mr Zhang) messaged me after the run, we can chat via the translation on WeChat, and asked ‘Should I replace the two horses I have there?’ and I said, ‘Ramadan, yes, but Alsonso is close to winning,’” Newnham said.
Alsonso, a Listed-placed Benalla maiden winner in Australia, is zero from six in Hong Kong but has dropped seven points since import, to a rating of 59, and was a solid fifth last time in a 1200m Class 3 race.
“We just put in for a replacement permit for Ramadan so something else will eventually take his place,” Newnham continued.
Finding another Yulong horse to step into Ramadan’s spot should not be too difficult.
“Well, he has got a lot of horses to choose from,” Newnham added ∎
