Debt Collector (NZ) Heads Karaka Trifecta in Chairman’s Trophy

Singapore champion Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) produced another sparkling performance in Sunday’s S$500,000 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Kranji, heading a trifecta for gradates of New Zealand Bloodstock Sales.

The superstar galloper was bought for $30,000 at the 2014 Select Sale, then for $120,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year.

On Sunday he recorded the 12th win of his 23-start career, eight of them at black-type level. He took his prize-money earnings past the S$3 million mark for owners the Barree Stable, whose principal member Glenn Whittenbury was at the races on Sunday.

Debt Collector adopted his customary come-from-behind style, powering home from last to hit the front 100 metres from the finish.

Fellow Karaka graduate Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) provided a scare with his own potent burst through the inside, but Debt Collector hit the finish line with a neck advantage.

The third of the Kiwi and Karaka brigade, Preditor (NZ) (Savabeel) was another half-length behind in third place.

“To me, Debt Collector is the best horse in Singapore since Rocket Man (Viscount),” trainer Cliff Brown said.

“I don’t think he saw Countofmontecristo sneaking through on the inside, but we won, which is great. Glen (Boss) rode a clever race on Countofmontecristo, who’s a very good horse. It nearly paid off.”

Debt Collector has now earned more than 25 times his $120,000 purchase price at the Ready to Run Sale.

He was ridden by Michael Rodd, who has been aboard for 11 of the former Singapore Horse of the Year’s victories.

“My horse is very smart, he will get going again when he sees another horse,” Rodd said. “That’s his competitive nature.”

Countofmontecristo cost $57,500 at the 2015 Ready to Run Sale. Singapore’s champion three-year-old of his year, he has had 21 starts for seven wins, eight placings and more than S$1.2 million in prize-money.

Third-placed Preditor was a $75,000 purchase at the 2014 Premier Sale. He has recorded seven wins and five placings in his 30-start career, earning more than S$450,000.