Former Hong Kong galloper Dragon’s Luck has made a triumphant return to racing in Melbourne.
Now in the care of Liam Howley and racing as Why Worry, the gelding took out the GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Leading throughout under Ethan Brown, Why Worry ($9) scored a half-length win over Prancing Spirit ($4.40) with Is It Me ($5) a further 1-½ length away third.
Why Worry was formerly prepared by Douglas Whyte and Howley revealed the sprinter had a minor bleed in Hong Kong.
“He had a little bleed up in Hong Kong and to the owner’s credit he wanted to look after him, so he sent him back here,” Howley said.
“He’s really thrived in the farm life. The change of environment has really worked for him.
“His work had been good. He had a couple of good trials and we’ve really looked after him, kept him happy and the proof is in the pudding, I guess.”
Howley has an association with Whyte where he prepares his sales horses get to a stage before they are transported to Hong Kong.
He said while he has had a few horses return from Hong Kong to his Kyneton base, Why Worry is the best performed to date.
“I do a bit of work for Douglas, and I’ve sent a few up to him,” Howley said.
“They go through the system here and then go up when ready, but this is the first one I’ve had to race down here for them.
“Feedback from Douglas early doors was that he thought he was a spring horse, so hopefully there’s something there for him.
“We’re not saying he’s a superstar, but he looks around that Listed class of horse and if we can keep turning up and doing this each time, we’ll be happy.
“Hopefully we can raise the bar a little bit off that, but it will be one step at a time.”
Howley said a firmer than expected track had helped Why Worry on Saturday.
“I’m usually one praying for rain, but with this bloke I was hoping to be on top of the ground,” Howley said.
