An international flavour returned to Singapore racing with the running of three local-grade group ones. Singapore's 'Super Saturday' night was produced some pleasant surprises and some expected wins. SW reviews the Kranji Mile, Singapore Guineas and the Lion City Cup (2018) long awith race videos & provides the final finishing order for all the races on the card.
Review: Kranji Mile 2018
Hong Kong's legends conquered the biggest prize of the night which signified Singapore’s return to International racing. Winner Southern Legend and runner-up Horse Of Fortune stole the 1-2 of the $1.5 million Invitational Gr. 1 Kranji Mile (1600m).
Billed as the best horse in the 13-horse field all week, Southern Legend, a Not A Single Doubt five-year-old prepared by Kranji frequent flyer Caspar Fownes, who was given an international rating of 115 points, is the latest name from Sports Road to join the Kranji roll of honour.
At the start, jockey Purton turned off the power to sleep mode, with his mount never turning a hair even when Maximus (Troy See) came cocking a snook to the visitor midrace.
As Southern Legend niftily cut the corner at the point of the turn, he effortlessly ambled back to the lead. Purton redid his reins, threw out the anchors – and accidentally, his whip, but it would not matter - the Hong Kong galloping machine was set in full flight.
Southern Legend was already out of reach as he romped in by three lengths from Horse Of Fortune for a Hong Kong 1-2 with rank-outsider ‘home boy’ Nova Strike (Olivier Placais) in on third.
“He’s a real dude this horse. He was chilled throughout his stay here and has really enjoyed himself,” said Fownes.
“It’s great to ride in Singapore. It’s a special place and it’s even better when you win,” said Purton who was at his second big-race haul after capturing the $1 million Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) aboard Mr Clint earlier, and already boasted one SIA Cup (Military Attack) and one KrisFlyer (Aerovelocity) to his name.
Tony Millard, trainer of the runner-up, was gracious in defeat, accepting they got beaten by a better horse.
“He ran a great race, but Caspar’s horse was the class horse and he was just too good for them,” said the South African handler who has been training in Hong Kong for 19 years.
Review: Singapore Guineas 2018
Former Melbourne champion trainer Lee Freedman landed his first Group 1 success in Singapore with Mr Clint in the $1 million Singapore Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
The Australian Hall of Fame trainer is the winner of no fewer than 124 Group 1 races in his celebrated career,
“This horse (Mr Clint) is not the greatest here, but he’s an honest sort. CK (owner Phua Chian Kin of Oscar Racing Stable) bought him for NZ$90,000 and shared him with Laurie Laxon (previous trainer for Mr Clint). It’s nice to train a good horse for them,” said the conditioner.
Starting as the favourite, the son of Power steered clear of all the strife, cutting a swathe down the middle for an uninterrupted run to the line. King Louis (Barend Vorster) who was even further back astern, flashed home with his usual late run, but Mr Clint was home and hosed, falling in by one length from Ricardo Le Grange’s game challenger. With that fourth win in nine starts, Mr Clint has taken his stakes earnings past the $725,000 mark for the Oscar Racing Stable.
Third place went to another Le Grange, Captain Jamie (Alan Munro) who also got caught in traffic before running on to settle for a minor prize, another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 35.15secs for the 1600m on the Long Course.
“There are no more three-year-old races now, so he’s going for a break,” said Freedman of his newly minted winner.
Review: Lion City Cup 2018
Class prevailed in the $1 million Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) with last year’s winner Lim’s Cruiser making it back-to-back in devastating style on Saturday.
Snagged back to a rearward spot from his wide alley, Lim’s Cruiser eventually drove through a gap to settle on the rails after only 200m, a nifty piece of riding from jockey Glen Boss which would prove its weight of gold in the final analysis.
Upfront, noted frontrunner Zac Kasa (Craig Grylls) was flying as expected like last month’s pay, but surprisingly found another wind upon straightening when most thought he would be gone once his bunny role was done.
The complexion of the race changed dramatically when Lim’s Cruiser shot through between Mr Fantasic (Barend Vorster) and Rafaello like they were tacked to the ground.
That sizzling trademark acceleration was clearly back as Kranji watched in awe Gray’s pocket dynamo storm home at the rate of knots. Zac Kasa’s seconds in the lead were numbered – in a few bounds, Lim’s Cruiser swept past on his way to a most impressive 1 ½-length win.
Renowned for his flamboyance on past big-race winners (notably his high-standing act in the irons aboard Risky Business in the Singapore Gold Cup in 2010), Boss could not help himself as he punched the air in delight upon crossing the line.
Countofmontecristo was beaten fair and square but did well to stick on for third place another 2 ¾ lengths away.
With that seventh win, Lim’s Cruiser has now amassed prizemoney in excess of $1.6 million for the Lim’s Stable.
Race Type and Conditions:
Distance:1600 meters (8 furlongs),Surface: Turf,Track Left-handed,Qualification: Three-years-old & up,Weight:Weight-for-age,Fillies & Mares: 1.5 kg allowance,Purse: S$500,000
