Given Vision Takes Second-Leg of Singapore 3YO Challenge

New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale graduate Given Vision claimed the second leg of the rich Singapore 3YO Challenge series for former Kiwi trainer Stephen Gray on Friday night.

The Singapore Group 2 event worth S$350,000 attracted fifteen of the very best three-year-olds of Singapore, including first leg winner Mooring (Bel Espirit). The middle leg of the three-race series, which aims to test competitors from 1200m - 1600m, was staged over 1400m at Kranji.

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�Given Vision�scores in the second-leg�of Singapore's 3YO Challenge Photo: Singapore Turf Club

The step up in distance, and the addition of blinkers, allowed Given Vision (Belong to Me x Aurum Valley, by Made of Gold) to show his very best in the hands of Brazilian hoop Joao Moreira.

Saving ground on the fence towards the tail of the field for most of the journey, Moreira went for an inside run as the field swept wide over Kranji's finishing straight. The gaps appeared around the tiring leaders and Given Vision showed an explosive turn of foot to push through and pull away from his competitors.

Second place was filled by another Karaka graduate in Powerful Ruler (Viking Ruler x Capsimation, by Kaapstad), two and a half lengths behind Given Vision who completed the trip in 1.22.50.

The unmistakable gelding - marked with four white legs - was purchased by�NZB as agent�at the 2007 Karaka Select Sale from Tom and Shelley Murtagh's Esker Lodge, the couple who are also responsible for selling Singapore star Revolte (French Deputy).

NZB as agent�paid $10,000 for Given Vision who has now won four of five starts to date for Jupiter Stable, and over S$284,000 in prizemoney.

His next target is the 1600m S$450,000 third-leg of the Singapore 3YO Challenge on 17 July, a race which trainer Stephen Gray had targeted for his gifted galloper all along.

"We have always felt that he is a very good horse and when Michael Cahill won on him on Singapore Airlines International Cup day (May 17) he said he would be a Group horse.

"I had the third leg over the mile picked out as his main race, so to win this along the way is something of a bonus, but after he drew in barrier two I said to Joao that he would run super and I must say that Joao gave him a great ride."

Karaka graduates continued to impress in Singapore on Friday night with Win In (Drama Critic x Audrey Rose, by Blue Razor) stamping himself as a serious Singapore Derby contender by winning the S$95,000 Kranji Stakes B (1800m).

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�Win In Derby Bound Photo: Singapore Turf Club

The big, bold galloper trained by Patrick Shaw simply outstayed his opposition in a race run at a strong pace from the outset. Four back one off the fence, jockey Robbie Fradd got Win In moving forward early, as is the usual race pattern for the galloper dubbed as 'The Big Guy'.

The result was decided as soon as the competitors rounded the turn and Win In let down and strode out. Robbie Fradd was full of praise after the three-quarter length win with regard to the Singapore Derby on 12 July.

"That was the perfect trial for him. The faster the pace the better it will be for him," said Fradd who won the Derby in 2006 with Our Falstaff for Shaw.

"He's a big strong horse that needs to be ridden out from a long way. You've got to pull the whip on him. I think he's a big chance in the Derby."

Kiwi-breds provided the quinella in the race with Bruce Marsh's Demhillsofgold (Golan) getting home well for second, another who looks set for a big run in the S$1,000,000 Emirates Singapore Derby.

Win In was purchased by Peter Tennent for $45,000 at NZB's 2006 Ready to Run Sale. Sold by Windfields Farm, Win In is now raced by Tmen Stable for whom he has not finished further back than fifth in fourteen starts, including five wins and over S$284,000 in prizemoney.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduates enjoyed a further seven victories throughout Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and Malaysia over the weekend. These include: