Bolstering a reputation as an emerging contender among Hong Kong’s staying division, Money Catcher franked an excellent Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) performance last month with a brave Gr.3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) triumph at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Driven to the front by jockey Silvestre De Sousa, the New Zealand-bred son of Ferlax lowered Doctor Geoff’s class record with a strong gallop of 1m 47.94s downing Packing Award by a length with a charging Rise Brethren third, a further neck back.

Third behind star stayer Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on 11 December, Money Catcher, who was a multiple Group placegetter in New Zealand when racing as Jason Belltree, further distanced himself from a reputation as a serial place-getter by delivering his second win – along with nine minor placings – from 16 starts in Hong Kong.

De Sousa predicted Money Catcher would continue to rise after notching his most significant win so far after adding Wednesday’s victory to a breakthrough win at Sha Tin over 1800m on 6 November.

“He’s an improving horse and since he’s got his head in front, it’s brought him confidence and he’s been running better races – he ran on International Day and he ran a great third,” De Sousa said. “Through the season, this will be the improving horse.

“Today, I felt he was a bit lost on the track – a bit goofy – and the track could be a bit tight for him. He’s a bit unit, he’s a galloping horse but he pulled it off well.”

Money Catcher provided trainer Frankie Lor with his first January Cup success since Simply Brilliant in 2019 – and extended the reigning Hong Kong champion trainer’s lead in the 2022/23 standings to four with Lor holding a 29-25 margin over Tony Cruz.

“He deserved that, he's always consistent and when he can lead or sit second or third. He is good,” Lor said.

Money Catcher was a $60,000 purchase from the Regal Farm draft at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, having previously cost $13,000 at the Karaka May Sale when sold by Haunui Farm a year earlier. 

Prepared in New Zealand by Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley, Money Catcher was purchased privately as a one-win horse that was placed in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).