Lookin At Lucky’s Panfield Adds Hong Kong G1 to Extensive Resume

HKJC Photo

Already a triple Group I winner in Chile, Lookin At Lucky’s Panfield (4c Lookin At Lucky x Esterina II, by Orpen) showed why Hong Kong buyers were eager to purchase him with a victory in Sunday’s Group I Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.

Racing in the fourth place spot for much of the 1 ½ mile turf race at Sha Tin, Panfield was happy to race under Karis Teetan as Hong Kong champion Time Warp set a reasonable pace.

Panfield started making his move with 2 ½ furlongs to go, racing into the stretch three wide. As Time Warp faded, Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant took over but Panfield wasn’t far behind. In the final furlong, he put the champion behind with only multiple Group I-paced Columbus County able to finish within a length of Panfield.

“Karis rode a beautiful race today, that’s exactly how we planned it and it worked out to an absolute tee,” trainer Tony Millard said. “I’m very happy for him because it gives him the confidence to know that if he is on the right horse that he can do it. Quite clearly this horse was the right horse today and he did everything 100 percent.”

Moving to Hong Kong last July, the Yue Yun Hing-owned Panfield was winning his second race in Hong Kong.

It was the second Hong Kong winner in two weeks for Lookin At Lucky, whose only other runner in the country finished first by 5 ½ lengths. That horse, Hongkong Great, is another impressive performer for Lookin At Lucky as a Chilean champion before his move to Hong Kong.

Panfield was bred by Agricola Taomina Ltda and is one of three winners from three to race out of Esterina II. This family has a strong international presence with its stakes winners winning Group Is in South Africa, Chile, Argentina, France, and Italy.

A massive value sire, Lookin At Lucky’s top level performers in the last three seasons include champion Accelerate, Grade I Kentucky Derby winner Country House, and Grade I Beldame winner Wow Cat.