When Hong Kong buyers come knocking it is difficult not to open the door.
Ask Will Hulbert, who trains in partnership with his father Peter … but, in truth, when that knock on the door came enquiring about the stable’s Rough Habit winner Criminal defence, it did not take Hulbert by surprise.
“You could say it was a bit of a plan,” said Hulbert.
“When I laid out what we were going for with Criminal Defence at the start of his last prep … I said the Group 3 Rough Habit and the Group 1 Derby was Plan A. I also said at that time if he does what we will think he will do, then we’ll sell to Hong Kong
“The owners thought that sounded like a good idea at the time. They all said ‘yep’ … but, you know, when it does come time to sell … it’s hard.
“The interest from Hong Kong first came after Criminal Defence won the Rough Habit.
“There are five owners in the horse so that discussion had to take place.
“It wasn’t that lively a discussion really. We weren’t going to give him away, but we pretty much knew what was going to happen.
“I had put the idea of a sale to Hong Kong out there quite early and they all knew what would be coming if he performed.
“In the end, we were all very happy to get the right result,” said Hulbert, confirming a purchase price of $700,000.”
“I think the next shipment goes to Hong Kong in August … I’m pretty sure … so he will go down to quarantine in the next week or two … and then on to Hong Kong.”
Criminal Defence, who was originally purchased for $33 000, will leave Australian shores as a two-time winner from twelve starts with stake-earnings of $183 200.
