Pencarrow Stud-bred Jolly Jolly (Stratum x Paolino) started a great day for NZ bred horses on Hong Kong International Day, winning the HK$1.65m Silent Witness Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin on Sunday.

New Zealand-bred horses contributed four winners of the 10-race program, with Hong Kong Jockey Club's international showpiece featuring four Group 1 races on the day.

Trained by ex-pat kiwi Paul O’Sullivan Jolly Jolly was a last start winner over the same distance at Sha Tin last month and was again sent out as the race-favourite despite drawing barrier 13 in the opening event.

The four-year-old started brilliantly and rider Karis Teetan urged his mount to the front and settle one off the rail. On straightening up the Stratum gelding easily strode clear of his rivals to win by two-lengths over People’s Knight (AUS) (Exceed And Excel) with one-length back to Run Forrest (AUS) (Exceed And Excel) in third.

“He’s a very promising horse, one of the most promising horses in Hong Kong,” commented O’Sullivan. “He’s gone up a class and has just dealt to his opposition. He’s a big, strong type.”

Jolly Jolly has now won two races with four minor placings from seven starts and stakes of HK$1,726,650 for his owners Lo Kui Lun, Lo Hoe, Stanley Lo Shek Yin & Sharon Lo Ching Wun.

The four-year-old gelding was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Premier Sale for $150,000 by NZB as agent from Pencarrow Stud.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, the son of Stratum is out stakes winning mare Paolino (Housebuster), winner of the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, and a half-sister to Group 2 Royal Stakes winner Sarwatch (Jetball). Paolino is the dam of six winners including stakes-winner Mirandola (O’Reilly), winner of the Listed 2YO Fillies’ Stakes.

Paolino foaled a colt this season by kiwi Champion racehorse So You Think.