Crusoe Makes Grand First Impression in Singapore

Former New Zealand galloper Crusoe (Volksraad x Caserio) made a great first impression in his first start in Singapore on Friday. His win in the Singapore TC Progressive Handicap over 1200 metres came after being transferred to trainer Laurie Laxon's stable in March this year. Fellow New Zealand bred three-year-old Kelantan (Cape Cross x Stever House) was two lengths behind in second place.

Bred by Peter and Nancy Izett, Bob Emery secured Crusoe for NZ$65,000 at the 2004 Karaka Select Yearling Sale from Mapperley Stud's draft to race him with considerable success. Trained by Richard Collett and Shane Hapeta, he recorded three wins including the Listed ARC Champagne Stakes and was third behind Darci Brahma and Captain Kurt in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas before being shipped to Singapore in March this year.

Kevin Gray and Robert Patterson trained the Karreman bred, Kelantan, to win the Listed CJC Selwyn River Stud 2YO Stakes in New Zealand before he was exported to Stephen Gray's Singapore stable in September last year. A graduate of the 2004 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale, Stuart Hale secured the colt for NZ$135,000 from The Oaks Stud draft.

Other New Zealand horses to emerge victorious on the ten race card were Music Master (Kashani x Sonique), Fixed Asset (Cape Cross x Canny Asset), Kismet (Straight Strike x Lugano) and Papakura (Kashani x Phantom Belle).