Debt Collector Sensational in Singapore Guineas

Karaka graduate Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) has risen to stardom with a spectacular winning streak in Singapore, and he further enhanced his growing reputation with a stunning performance in last night’s S$500,000 Group 1 Sgp-1 Guineas (1600m) at Kranji.

Ridden by Michael Rodd for trainer Cliff Brown, the three-year-old came from last with a breath-taking turn of foot.

In a move described in Singaporean media as “pulverising”, “blinding” and “electric”, Debt Collector gobbled up a deficit of more than six lengths and swept to victory. He crossed the finish line two lengths clear and stopped the clock at 1:34.4.

Debt Collector has now won four of his six starts, his victories coming in his last four appearances.

“I’ve ridden a lot of winners all over the world but that was one sensational win, especially as he beat a very good bunch of three-year-olds,” Rodd told the Singapore Turf Club

“He began well, but I had to keep chasing him early. He just didn’t want to go this time.

“Suddenly he started to track into the race and when I angled him into the clear, he was closing in very well. But when I saw Magnum was quite a distance in front, I thought we had no chance. But his turn of foot was just out of this world. He finished so hard that he ran on top of them. He won with authority in the end.”

Brown is well aware of his horse’s capabilities, but even he admitted that he almost gave up when he was so far back at the top of the straight and had a mountain to climb.

“When they turned for home, I would have been happy if he had run third or fourth,” he said.

“His last 400 metres was just incredible. He’s a horse that doesn’t excite me in trackwork but I’m really excited now.

“He will go for a much deserved break now. Hopefully he will be my Derby horse next year.”

Debt Collector was bred and sold by Windsor Park Stud and comes from the second to last crop of their stallion Thorn Park. He is out of the stakes-placed mare Prompt Payment (In The Wings).

Debt Collector went through the Karaka sale ring twice, fetching $30,000 as a yearling before being offered by Prima Park at the 2014 Ready to Run Sale where he was purchased by Brown for $120,000.