Promising galloper Atmosphere has been sold to Hong Kong and will do his future racing for trainer John Moore.
Atmosphere finished 10th to Preferment in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 1 after being sent out fourth favourite for the 2500-metre race.
The three-year-old is owned by Singapore trainer Shane Baertschiger who wouldn’t divulge the sale price for but said the offer was too good to refuse.
He said while it was a great thrill to have a runner in a race like the Derby and would have liked to have continued racing Atmosphere, he wished Moore all the best with the gelding.
“If he goes on with it in Hong Kong, so be it,” said Baertschiger.
“He had his chance in Melbourne during the spring and the offer was too good to knock back.”
Atmosphere was trained by Trent Busuttin, who won the 2011 Victoria Derby with Sangster.
On a rushed preparation after a virus interrupted his program, Atmosphere finished second in the Moonee Valley Vase over 2040m a week before the Derby.
“He didn’t have a good prep leading up to the Derby,” Baertschiger said.
“When Sangster won the Derby everything went right and watching the race I don’t think he stayed the trip.
“At the Valley I think he’d had enough on the line so going to Hong Kong will suit him as they don’t have too many races beyond 2000 metres.”
Atmosphere heads to Hong Kong with five starts under the belt, registering three second placings, including two in the metropolitan area at 1800m and 2040m.
He is the second prominent three-year-old to be sold to Hong Kong this week after the sale of Queensland star Looks Like The Cat.
