BACK TO BACK WINS BY LINGJUN HERO

Despite a sharp rise in grades, Lingjun Hero (4 h Spirit of Boom – Weekend Surprise, by Rubiton) won the $35,000 Dickies Dash Open Handicap 1300 metres on 5 June at Hastings.

Having coped admirably on Heavy10 to win over the same distance in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 20 May at Te Rapa, Lingjun Hero climbed substantially in class to take on Open Handicap, but aided by weight from Lily Sutherland (a2) to carry 52kg added to the impetus.

Securing a lovely spot from barrier four to track the leaders in third, the four-year-old entire pulled along the leader 600m out, quickened turning for home to establish an advantage and pinned his ears back to prevail.

Sutherland had recently combined with two-year-old stable-mate Hot Chilli Mama (U S Navy Flag) for consecutive thirds, also at Hastings.

On Soft6 footing, Lingjun Hero ran 1300 metres in respectable time (1:18.2) and remained steady in betting to pay $10.30 & $3.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

Lingjun Hero had recorded his two previous wins over 1215 metres at Rotorua, on Soft5 and Good4 footing respectively.

Prior to the race, co-trainer Pam Gerard confirmed his readiness when saying: “He’s done very well since his win and comes back to a better track which I don’t think poses any issues.

“Obviously stepping up in grade, but no weight on his back and it will be interesting to see how he measures up at this level.”

Gerard was using the race as a precursor to a proposed next start on 17 June at Te Rapa, but may have to reconsider depending how many rating points received for winning an Open Handicap. It could be that the $35,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres becomes an option at the same meeting.

“Lining up in this race was more the fact he was busting to get a run into him, and it worked out nicely for a race at Te Rapa,” Gerard said.

“He’s gone good races all season and he’s trying really hard. It’s not easy going from a Rating 65 to an Open Handicap, and I’m a bit dubious of the points he’ll get, but once he’s up and going he likes to have a race every two weeks.”

Lingjun Hero was bought for $45,000 by Amy Feng at 2020 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, from draft of KBL Thoroughbreds, and owned by Mr. Ma Junping, managed by Taniwha Club managing director Alan Fu.

By Champion Queensland Sire Spirit of Boom (Sequalo), dam Weekend Surprise won three times over 1000 metres in Australia. Incredibly, she has now left 10 individual winners of 26 races, including Group Three winner Dan Baroness (State of Liberty) and listed winner Jagged Edge (Better Than Ready).

Lingjun Hero was strapped by Leelu Singh.