Avontuur’s high-riding Danehill stallion Oratorio’s son Cue The Music produced a commendable first run in Hong Kong on Saturday when finishing fourth behind the record-smashing Aethero in the HK$ 2,1 million Wo Tik Handicap over 1000m at Sha Tin.
The classy Aethero now marches on to the Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint after smashing Sacred Kingdom’s twelve year long record for the Sha Tin 1000m.
The super-quick Cue The Music (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Now trained by David Ferraris, Cue The Music, the 2017/18 KZN Champion 2yo male, only arrived in Hong Kong in May this year.
He is owned by Mr & Mrs Julian Chow Kai Wo, Chow Wing Shuen and Chow Cheuk Wai.
He was ridden on Saturday by SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson, who is still out to break his duck after just 4 places from 35 rides. In a frustrating start for the SA star, he had to sit out an early suspension from the previous season in his home country, and has not enjoyed the best quality of rides, generally.
His luck must surely change soon.
A former Dennis Bosch-trained gelding, Cue The Music won his first three starts, including the Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m at Scottsville and he then only just failed to hold on when runner -up in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville.
A half-brother to Equus champion Val De Ra (Var), Cue The Music was purchased for R1,6 million off the 2017 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale.
He was bred by Avontuur from their international stakes producing sire Oratorio (Danehill) out of the prolific winner producing Minelli (Elliodor).
Oratorio is currently third on the SA National Sires log behind Silvano and barn-mate, Var.
