Mr Energia made a successful return to competition in Hong Kong on Sunday evening.
Off the back of two lead-up trials and in headgear for the first time, the son of Westbury Stud’s Swiss Ace broke his maiden over 1200 metres at Sha Tin for trainer David Hall and rider Harry Bentley.
“He’s always shown ability but he hadn’t shown that ability in races, but the blinkers have transformed him,” Hall said.
The Gerry Harvey-bred four-year-old is the first winner for the Testa Rossa mare Jolie Blonde, who was a talented performer and was successful four times including victory in the Listed Hareeba Stakes.
She is a granddaughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Isolda and also has an unraced three-year-old filly by Tarzino named Aniston, a juvenile son of Savabeel and is due to foal to Redwood.
As Windblown, Mr Energia was a trial winner at Te Awamutu last year from Kurtis Pertab’s stable before his sale to Hong Kong interests.
Meanwhile, Reliable Man’s son Colleagues added to the family roll on honour with a hard-fought victory at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
The David Vandyke-trained runner collected the fifth victory of his 21-start career, which also features a further 10 minor placings, when he prevailed in a driving finish under rider Michael Rodd at the end of 1600 metres.
Colleagues was bred by Nearco Stud and purchased out of Curraghmore’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Vandyke for $260,000.
He is a brother to the two-time G3 Frances Tressady Stakes winner and G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes runner-up Annavisto.
Their dam is Avisto, a dual Listed winner by Tavistock from the family of Group 2 winners Apostrophe, Polygon and Pure Harmony.
