Karaka Hits the City in Singapore

Karaka graduates shone brightly under the lights in Singapore on Friday night, headed by a dominant victory by City Lad (NZ) (Elusive City) in the S$150,000 Sgp-3 Yew Tee Classic (1800m).

City Lad (NZ) races to victory in the Sgp-3 Yew Tee Classic in Singapore. Photo courtesy of STC.

Six of the nine races on the night were won by Karaka graduates, four of which were alumni of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale.

The classy City Lad returned to the winners circle for the first time in over a year, romping home to an easy 3.3 length victory. Although the son of Elusive City had not been in the winner’s circle for a long time he had been taking on the best horses in Singapore, finishing second in two Group 1 races last year.

Trained by Desmond Koh and ridden by Manoel Nunes, City Lad travelled third early in the race behind a strong pace. The leader quickly faded in the straight and the odds-on favourite was left in front with 400m to go.

With no other horse challenging him, City Lad drifted towards the outside of the track, however Nunes kept him striding freely and claimed the race by a decisive margin over fellow kiwi Blue Lion (NZ) (Zabeel), handing Karaka the quinella.

“He was the class horse in the field, but anything can happen in horse racing,” commented Koh. “You can’t be too complacent,

“He can over-race at times, but tonight, he was relaxed throughout the race. I was a bit worried when he drifted out under pressure as he’s never done this before, but luckily it didn’t cost him the race.

“I’ll see how he pulls up first. It’s a bit too soon to plan so far ahead.”

Friday’s win was City Lad’s sixth victory from 37 starts, taking his career earnings to S$663,532 for his owners KT Stable.

Bred by Matthew Wilson, City Lad is out of Snuff (Deputy Governor), a winner of 10 races and a daughter of Group 3 winner Just Sneeze (Star Wolf). City Lad is a half-brother to the Listed performed mare Greensleeves (Green Perfume). The now five-year-old was offered at the 2010 Ready to Run Sale by Phoenix Park but did not meet his reserve.

City Lad’s success was the 15th stakes win by a Ready to Run graduate this season. He was among four winners for the Ready to Run Sale in Singapore on Friday night with Dragon Force (NZ) (Postponed), Big Harvest (Husson) and Reach for the Sun (California Dane) all victorious.

Also triumphant on the night were Karaka Festival Sale graduate Sand Lane (NZ) (Sandtrap) and Karaka Premier Sale graduate Danny (NZ) (Elvstroem).

The Kiwi success continued on Sunday night in Singapore with another five winners on the 11-race card. Exciting two-year-old Affleck (NZ) (Battle Paint) continues to impress with another strong win. Added to the kiwi success was Kevin Eleven (NZ) (Danroad) along with Karaka alumni Indicio (NZ) (Ishiguru), Golden Curl (NZ) (Pentire) and Cavallo (NZ) (Testa Rosa).