Bullbars had further success last night in Hong Kong with his son Compassion Star victorious first up for the current season over 1,400m at Sha Tin. Trained by CH Yip and ridden beautifully by Zac Purton, Compassion Star registered a relatively comfortable victory to suggest that there may be more to come in short order.
Compassion Star had had an abbreviated campaign last season with his four starts yielding one fifth and two sixths. Clearly more acclimatized to the Hong Kong environment, he jumped well from his midfield draw but Purton allowed him to find his feet, settling midfield and one off the fence. As the field turned for home, a gap presented itself and Purton took advantage. Compassion Star reached the lead at the 200m and held on comfortably to win by a half-length at the line.
Compassion Star is the third foal from Tricilo (Sandtrap), a half-sister to Gp1 Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake. She also has My Tricia as her third dam who astonishingly had eleven winners from twelve foals to race, including Group One winners Grosvenor and National Gallery. Champions Lonhro and Lankan Rupee are also descended from My Tricia.
Passed in at the 2015 Select Sale, Compassion Star won both his trials in New Zealand for Lance Noble before being sold to Hong Kong.
Bullbars has now had two starters in Hong Kong and both are winners. Given the recent success of Mongolian Lightning in China, Bullbars progeny are showing the resilience to perform in Asia.
