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Joy And Fun takes Chairman’s Sprint Prize, could compete in Dubai

Posted: Sunday, February 05, 2012 4:58 PM

by Myra Lewyn

After placing at the top level in Hong Kong several times, Joy And Fun finally broke through on Sunday at Sha Tin when he rallied powerfully through the stretch to win the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

The eight-year-old Cullen gelding scored by three-quarters of a length while turning the tables on runner-up Lucky Nine, who defeated him on the international stage in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) in December.

In addition to his dead-heat runner-up finish with Entrapment in Hong Kong Sprint, a race in which he finished third in 2009, Joy And Fun finished a neck second to Eagle Regiment on January 15 in Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

There was no denying Joy And Fun on Sunday, however, as he captured the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, the series’ second leg while earning consideration for a return trip to Dubai next month for the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G1), a race he won in 2010 when the race had Group 3 status.
“We have tried so many times to win a Group 1 with him and on several occasions he has been close—it all worked out to be a great day,” trainer Tony Cruz said. “We have always had Dubai in mind for the horse after this. He has done so well for us that we will take it step by step—he has maintained his condition, so we will sit back and wait about future plans.”
Joy and Fun covered 1,200 meters (5.97 furlongs) in 1:08.98 on turf rated as good. The Al Quoz Sprint is at 1,000 meters (4.97 furlongs) on turf.

Cruz also is considering of a return to Royal Ascot this spring. During Joy And Fun’s previous trip to the royal meet in 2010, he was injured in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (Eng-G1), finishing 13th of 24 runners, and was sidelined for five months.

“There’s a possibility,” Cruz said of a trip to Royal Ascot. “Everything’s on the table and we’ll assess him. If he hadn’t injured himself in England, he would have been a very strong contender that day.”

New Zealand-bred Joy And Fun has 12 wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 52 career starts. He was produced by the Defensive Play mare Gin Player, who also produced Australian Group 1 winner Zarita and New Zealand Group 2 winner Run Like The Wind.