GREY ENTIRE CAPS GOOD FORM

Close up on the course at his previous start, Lingjun Xiongfeng (5 h The Factor – Harvest Start, by Sebring) recorded a much deserved victory in the $55,000 Stella Artois Rating 65 1500 metres on Saturday at Pukekohe.

Given time (32 days) after being swamped on the line, beaten a head, short neck, to finish third in the Rating 65 1600 metres on Melbourne Cup Day, the striking grey entire had placed three from five on the course, including third in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) as a three-year-old, but required luck from a wide draw (14).

Ridden by South African jockey Billy Jacobson (43), recording his first win in New Zealand, Lingjun Xiongfeng settled last in a capacity field of 14, looked to improve from 10 lengths astern at the 600m and produced a withering burst over the final furlong to engulf his rivals.

Jacobson, a friend of premiership leading jockey and fellow South African Warren Kennedy, graduated from the SA Jockey Academy in 2001, and with wife Mel, children Cooper and Tyler, immigrated this year to New Zealand.

Winning by a head, Lingjun Xiongfeng ran 1500 metres in 1:29.2, last 600m in 33.5 (approx.), and drifted in betting to pay $14.90 & $4.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

Always held in high regard by co-trainer Pam Gerard, Lingjun Xiongfeng was reported to have worked up terrifically well since finishing third and looked in good order for the assignment.

“He’s looks fit and rippled at the moment, in mint condition, very happy, and he likes the big open track where there’s plenty of room to wind up,” she said.

“I know he drew the outside, but thought it may work in his favour. He was a little bit unlucky last time when hitting the front just a fraction too early and Vinnie (Colgan) said he switched off late.

“So we replaced blinkers with visor blinkers which allow him to see a bit more. He’d been flying in his work leading up to the race and he looked amazing.

“Billy (Jacobson) came in to gallop him a couple of times over the past two weeks and he was very confident on him.

“We just wanted to get him out on his own, running home in the clear, and it worked out perfectly in the finish. It didn’t look promising at the 400m when he was buffeting against another horse, but he’s best chasing them down and we saw that today.

“He doesn’t really like being amongst other horses, being a colt, so drawing wide dictated him getting the room he needs and he was good enough to overcome it.

“It was great to see him get across the line. He really deserved another win and he’s still a progressive horse.

“He’s a horse that can win more races, may even sneak some black type in stakes races, and it’s an ideal time to have a horse like him racing with the increase in prize money.”

Lingjun Xiongfeng was bought for $40,000 by Amy Feng at 2020 Adelaide Yearling Sale, from draft of Rosden Park, and owned by Mr. Ma Junping, managed by Taniwha Club managing director Alan Fu.

By dual Group One winner over 1400 metres in U.S., The Factor (War Front), from mare that placed in three starts and now left two winners. Lingjun Xiongfeng carries Mr Prospector cross through his dam lines.

Lingjun Xiongfeng was strapped by Leelu Singh.