Danon Smash sprang a minor surprise in emulating his sire Lord Kanaloa to win Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.
Danon Smash was ignored by local punters on the pari-mutual and started one of the outsiders but got a brilliant ride from Ryan Moore.
Despite starting from the outside, Moore had Danon Smash positioned midfield with cover before halfway and was then able to present unimpeded to challenge around the home turn.
Danon Smash reached the lead 200m out and then stayed on bravely to defeat Rattan by half a length in a blanket finish – 1-1/4 lengths covering the first five home.
The favourite Hot King Prawn flattered briefly in the straight before finishing seventh while Classique Legend was slowly away and then encountered traffic until the race was over.
“I must admit, I thought the barrier would make it difficult but we got lucky, we got a lovely run around,” Moore told the HKJC.
“He travelled sweetly, he was very brave and fought all the way. He’s just a pleasure to ride and I’m very thankful to pick up the ride on him.”
A son of two-time winner of the HK Sprint in Lord Kanaloa, Danon Smash has won three of his six starts this year and finished runner-up to Gran Alegria in the Gr1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on October 4.