Classic Sgp-3 Win for Ready to Run Graduate Bahana (NZ)

Ably playing a supporting role to the Sgp-1 Raffles Cup heroics of Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park), fellow New Zealand-bred galloper Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) made it a day to remember for Ready to Run Sale graduates at Kranji on Sunday.

The Stephen Gray-trained Bahana scored a brave win in the S$150,000 Sgp-3 El Dorado Classic (2200m). He hit the lead a long way from home in the staying feature and was challenged from both sides down the straight, but he outfought his rivals to win by a short head.

It was a top-shelf performance that likely earned the gelding a shot at the Sgp-1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on November 20.

“Nothing was actually planned for him,” Gray said. “We just took it step by step, and today he’s won the El Dorado and he’s running in the Gold Cup next.

“I thought he was a bit out of the handicap today, stepping up to that level, but everything went good.”

First sold as a yearling at the 2013 Select Sale, Bahana was then offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2013 Ready to Run Sale, where he was knocked down to Peter Ho Leung for $100,000. He has now won six of his 12 starts, and Sunday’s victory saw his earnings break through the S$300,000 mark.