Smart City victorious at Happy Valley

13 Jun 2025

It has been a fruitful season for Willow Park graduates in Hong Kong, where Smart City notched up our sixth winner in the tough racing jurisdiction at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

 

A five-year-old son of Darley's late champion Lonhro, Smart City raced under the same name in Australia when trained by Allan Chau, recording two dominant wins from eight starts. His first victory was in a 1400m maiden at Gatton, where he demolished the field by 5.8L at his second start. Running second at the Sunshine Coast at his next start, he then scored a 3.9L win at Ballina over 1590m.

 

He was relocated to Hong Kong in late 2023 and while he has taken his time settling in, he has shown glimpses of his ability with some good performances in previous starts, before scoring his first Hong Kong win on Wednesday. One half of a double for star jockey Karis Teetan, Smart City came three wide on the turn over the 1650m, kicking at the 200m to stride away and win by an easy 2.5L.

 

Bred by Mark Leonard, Smart City was reared at Willow Park from weaning and sold to A List Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $160,000.

 

He is the second foal from Words Are Weapons (Dubawi), a half-sister to Gr2 winner Danabaa and a city winner of three races from her 10 starts. Plagued by bad luck at stud, Words Are Weapons produced two winners from her only two live foals.