By Garry Dell
The eyes of many North Queensland's racing fraternity will be glued to television sets on Sunday for the Hong Kong debut of former star sprinter Bank Bank Bank on Sunday.
Now known as Tomodachi Kokoroe, the four-year-old Written Tycoon gelding makes his first appearance in a 1000 metre event up the straight track at Sha Tin.
Veteran Atherton Tablelands owner-trainer Ricky Ludwig prepared Bank Bank Bank for six unbeaten runs at Cairns and Townsville before accepting an offer close to $400,000 late last year.
Champion Australian and Hong Kong trainer David Hayes said the horse had settled in well to his new surroundings, had worked well and showed he was ready to go with two trial wins, the latest at Happy Valley in smart time and seemingly under a tight hold.
"He was quite impressive in that trial and South African jockey Lyle Hewitson spoke in glowing terms," Hayes said.
"Lyle will be in the saddle on Sunday and he knows the best place to be up the straight track.
"We're hoping to draw out wide as the better going on that track seems to be towards the outside rail.
"One of my only reservations is it will be a fast surface and I note that most of the horse's wins have been on soft-rated tracks."
Hayes said it is a big step up from North Queensland to Hong Kong.
"The horse has the form on the board and has done everything right in his first preparation," he said.
"I'm hopeful we can do North Queensland proud with their representative in Hong Kong.
"Ricky Ludwig obviously knows his way around a racecourse and the horse came to us in tip-top order after his last win at Cairns.
"We'll now have to see what the horse can do."
Ludwig said he was confident his former star would acquit himself well in Hong Kong.
"As I've said plenty of times, I just don't know how good he was and where he would have gone but I was a decision I don't regret and I wish the owners and David every success with the horse," Ludwig said.