By Garry Dell
Outstanding North Queensland sprinter Bank Bank Bank will do his future racing in Hong Kong.
Atherton Tablelands owner-trainer Ricky Ludwig confirmed on Friday the four-year-old had been sold to Hong Kong interests subject to a veterinary inspection and health checks.
Ludwig said he was pleased with the price finally agreed on for the winner of six unbeaten starts at Townsville and Cairns over the past six months.
"They made the final offer on Thursday through David Chester of Magic Millions and although I'm a bit disappointed to be losing the horse, it's a pretty good return on what I originally paid for him," Ludwig said.
"He's won $80,000 for us in a few months and it would take a fair time for him to earn the near $400,000 offered from Hong Kong.
"I believe he would develop into the best sprinter in the north come carnival time next year and would be a top contender for the Cleveland Bay, Cairns Newmarket and North Queensland Amateurs events.
"The deal is not totally finalised yet but he's as sound as a bell and I don't believe there will be any problem passing the necessary checks."
Ludwig said he had planned to start Bank Bank Bank in an Open Handicap at the Amateurs meeting in Townsville later this month but if the sale went through he would keep the horse in work pending him entering quarantine.
Meanwhile, Ludwig will start a new addition to his stable at Cooktown on Saturday.
Kingmate, a three-year-old gelding by Spirit Of Boom from the stable of Tony Gollan, will have his first race start in the maiden.
Ludwig also has acquired another Written Tycoon offspring in four-year-old gelding Whispering Tycoon from the Victorian stable of the Hayes'.