Hong Kong and Donnacha O'Brien (right) defeat Johan Zoffani© Photo Healy Racing
Hong Kong (10/3 out to 11/2 on course) was easy to back but ran out a decisive winner of the opening Tifrums Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden for Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien.
The American Pharaoh colt , who was a millon dollar purchase as a yearling and is a half-brother to dual Group One winner Caravaggio, was always prominent in first-time blinkers and found plenty when asked to assert over a furlong down to score by a length and a half from 13/8 favourite Johan Zoffani
The well-supported Nullifier (9/4) was another two lengths back in third place.
The winner finished seventh on his first two starts at the Curragh, and after a bit of a lay-off was second at Limerick last weekend. Breaking his maiden tag at the fourth attempt, he seemed to appreciate coming back in trip havig run only over 7f before today.
“He was very lazy the last day and the blinkers helped him to concentrate, said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.
"Donnacha said when he got confident today that he really stretched.
“He travelled well today and he’ll be a lovely three-year-old.
“I’d say he’ll get a mile and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get it next year. You would like the way he ran with his head down today and straight.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
