Karaka graduate Mr Stunning continued his rise to the top of Hong Kong’s sprinters with victory in Sunday’s $HK4 million BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin.

Making just the 15th start of his career, the son of Exceed And Excel brought up his ninth victory and thrust himself into contention for the G1 Hong Kong Sprint over the same course and distance next month.

With Nash Rawiller in the saddle, the John Size-trained Mr Stunning burst to the lead in the straight and kept going strongly to the line to win by a length and a half.

Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel x With Fervour) has now earned HK$16.48 million in prize-money for his owner Maurice Koo Win Chong, which is more than 12 times his $250,000 purchase price at Karaka.

Bred by Makybe Racing and Breeding, Mr Stunner is a son of the Dayjur mare With Fervour, who has produced five winners in Europe, Asia and Australasia.

With Fervour is a daughter of the three-time US G1 winner Fran’s Valentine.

This was his second win at this level in less than a month for Mr Stuning following his victory in the G2 Premier Bowl over the same course and distance on October 22.

The New Zealand-bred Amazing Kids (Falkirk) finished second, with Karaka graduate D B Pin (Darci Brahma) completing the trifecta.

The Jockey Club Sprint result capped an outstanding day for New Zealand-breds with superstar Werther (Tavistock) winning the HK$4 million BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained 2YO colt Al Hasa took out the Listed Welcome Stakes at Riccarton to provide his sire Exceed And Excel with his 141st stakes winner.

The Te Akau-raced Al Hasa won by six lengths and is now expected to target the Karaka Million and Golden Slipper Stakes in 2018.

Al Hasa, who had raced only once previously for a second placing, is the first foal of the Oasis Dream mare Oasis Rose. He was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan and Dr Gene Tsoi.