Former Hong Kong galloper brilliant at Wondai

By Jordan Gerrans

As a seven-year-old maiden galloper that had raced extensively in Hong Kong and Victoria, Brilliant Eight certainly appeared to be one out of the ordinary starting at Wondai last Saturday afternoon.

And, that is exactly how he raced.

Now owned and prepared by Lindsay Anderson at Hivesville in the South Burnett region of Queensland, Brilliant Eight was arguably as intriguing as any runner anywhere in the state last weekend.

Through 2022 and 2023, Brilliant Eight faced the starter 13 times at Sha Tin and Happy Valley without breaking through.

The New Zealand-bred galloper eventually made his way to Australia but was not seen again at the races until March of this year at Bendigo.

The big chestnut had six more starts without success at Victorian tracks for trainer Smiley Chan before being put up for sale online.

Veteran Queensland horseman Anderson had not had a racehorse for a few years but was deeply fascinated by Brilliant Eight when he first flashed across his computer screen.

“That is why I had a go at him on the online sale,” Anderson recalls.

“I kept thinking, why did they keep racing him in Hong Kong if he didn’t have ability.

“That was interesting, he was in Hong Kong for so long and they didn’t quit him.

“He came back to Australia under the same ownership so the owner must have had a liking to the horse.”

In Anderson’s first starter as a trainer since July of 2022, Brilliant Eight won the QTIS Maiden Plate over 1000 metres at Wondai on Saturday afternoon with hoop Kelly Gates in the saddle.

While a non-TAB maiden at Wondai is a far cry from racing for the riches and prestige in Hong Kong, the seven-year-old son of Ocean Park scored by almost two lengths as the race favourite.

As well as training one galloper himself, Anderson also works behind the barriers at the Wondai races.

The size and strength of the former Hong Kong galloper stood out to many who were at South Burnett Race Club on Saturday.

“This horse, he is a big upstanding, striking looking horse,” Anderson said.

“I was in the bar after the last race on Saturday and a few fellas in there commented that they thought this horse was too big.

“I quickly told him that if he went to Brisbane, that is what all the horses look like.

“I have always prided myself on getting my horses as fit and strong as they can be and this fella fits the bill.”

Brilliant Eight’s victory was one leg of a winning treble for Gates on Saturday at Wondai. 

The 60-year-old Anderson has not had a horse in work in recent years as he has focussed his attention on his cattle business and camp drafting interests.

But, it has not been through a lack of trying as he had attempted to purchase a few tried gallopers online before finally landing on his former Hong Kong runner.

After paying just $3,200 for Brilliant Eight, Anderson and fellow part-owner Peter Crowe quickly recouped their outlay following Saturday’s win.

“I was told he was sound and that was good enough for me,” Anderson said of the purchasing process.

“That form he had in Victoria, running second at places like Warrnambool, that kind of form used to come up here and win me heaps of races up here in previous years.

“We had been outbid on about 10 horses for a bit of money before we got him.

“He turned up magnificent condition. He is a lovely looking big horse.”

Anderson trains on his property at Hivesville and will make the 40km drive into the Wondai track to do any fast work required.

He has not had many gallopers in recent times but has enjoyed immense success over the years.

Glenthorn Avenue was one of the best gallopers Anderson has prepared with the son of Bel Esprit winning 19 races, including several Cup races in the bush.

Red Chip was another smart horse he prepared with the gelding winning at Eagle Farm in 2003.

Anderson will look to quickly double up with Brilliant Eight as the sprinter is nominated for Saturday’s Gympie meeting in the Class B Handicap over 850 metres.