Giant Strides In HK

The well-related Smart Giant made up for an unlucky last-start defeat in Hong Kong when he opened his winning account with authority at Sha Tin last night. Trained by John Moore, the stud-bred and sold son of Pins was far too good for his opposition over 1400 metres to give leading jockey Darren Beadman an easy ride to victory.

A $A160,000 yearling buy out of the farm’s Sydney Easter draft in 2009, Smart Giant had finished runner-up in his first two appearances before circumstances went against him on New Year’s Day. The three-year-old was unplaced after rider Beadman had lost a stirrup iron early in the race.

The gelding is out of the O’Reilly mare Spring who has now left four winners, including the outstanding mare Daffodil (No Excuse Needed). Raced by the us, the $1 million earner was retired last year with three Gr 1 victories to her credit in the AJC Oaks, NZ 1000 Guineas and the Hawke’s Bay Challenge Stakes to be served by resident sire Pins.