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https://www.racenet.com.au/news/117331/Kia-Ora-Koutou-Hong-Kong-sale-abandoned
Connections of Victoria Derby placegetter Kia Ora Koutou have decided against selling the classy three-year-old to Hong Kong.
Kia Ora Koutou went unbeaten through his first four starts in WA before running a solid third to Tarzino in the Victoria Derby on October 31.
Hong Kong interests attempted to broker a deal to buy the son of Blackfriars but trainer Adam Durrant told The West Australian connections had decided not to sell the horse.
Durrant said Kia Ora Koutou had a minor paddock accident in Victoria but that had no bearing on the decision to retain the smart stayer.
"It would take three weeks for him to go through the stringent vet tests to go to Hong Kong,¡¨ Durrant said.
"We've all had a think about it and decided we want to keep the horse. He will come home and be set for the WATC Derby next year.
"He is the quietest horse but something has spooked him and he has clipped the fence. He has had a couple of stitches to the knee.
"It is going to be three weeks until he is back home, but he is fine.¡¨