Alexander Dumas' novel Count Of Monte Cristo is known as one of best classics in the world. He would have never imagined that the book would inspire the name of a horse which would also be touted as a 'classic'. The lead contender of the Lion City Cup is the New Zealand bred Countofmontecristo who has won seven of his eight starts last year and was runner up in both the Gr.3 Rocket Man Sprint and the Gr.2 Merlion Trophy in 2018. He boasts of a Northern Dancer line on his sire's side and is labeled as a future Singapore Horse Of The Year by many. Just like the novel Count Of Monte Cristo, this preview also has a few dark horses who impede his final victory.
The biggest threat of them all is Lim's Cruiser, winner of the Lion City Cup (2017). The bay gelding out of Casino Prince who was unlucky on the Polytrack. The change over to turf should be enough in his current form to be a race leader, even landing in the top three.
One of two 3YOs who have the potential to beat proven horses is Mister Yeoh. The Cliff Brown trained colt has won the Gr.2 Singapore 3YO Classic (1400m) and the drop back to 1200m should be the clincher.
He is pitted against stablemate Zac Kasa, an exciting colt who has yet to find his niche.
The wild card in this 'card' is Super Fortune who wn the Kranji Stakes A (1200m) this year but disappointed in the Gr.3 Rocket Man Sprint (also 1200m). The Mossman 4YO always placed well in all his eight starts at Kranji which included five wins.
The twist in this tale is that all his races at Kranji are the same distance ad course as the Lion City Cup.
1) Countofmontecristo
2) Super Fortune
3) Lim's Cruiser
1.Alibi (M Clements),2.Aramco (S Baertschiger),3.Constant Justice (M Yusof),4.Countofmontecristo (M Clements),5.Distinctive Darci (M Walker),6.Fortune Winner (I Dragon),7.Lim’s Cruiser (S Gray),8.Mister Yeoh (C Brown),9.Mr Fantastic (R Le Grange),10.Paparazzi (S Baertschiger),11.Poseidon (D Kok),12.Rafaello (R Le Grange),13.Raise No Doubt (D Meagher),14.Skywalk (J Peters),15.Super Fortune (H W Tan),16.Zac Kasa (C Brown)
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com