Kiwi Best on the Night in Singapore

Kiwi galloper Best Tothelign (NZ) (Align) was victorious in the S$175,000 Sgp-3 Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m) in Singapore last night capping a successful day of racing for kiwis in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Best Tothelign dead-heating in the Sgp-3 Colonial Chief Stakes. Photo courtesy of STC.

Sunday racing in Asia was fruitful for New Zealand with kiwi horses winning seven of the 11 races in Singapore, all purchased from New Zealand Bloodstock, along with four kiwi winners at the Hong Kong International Meeting.

The judge was unable to split Best Tothelign and Order of the Sun (Encosta de Lago) in the feature race of the night in Singapore on the polytack. Trained by Shane Beartschiger, Best Tothelign entered the race having won over 1600m at his last start, also on the polytrack.

Jockey Matthew Kellady sent Best Tothelign forward in the early stages to sit outside of pacemaker Order of the Sun. The pair soon became embroiled in a duel down the Kranji straight with neither able to get the upper hand, resulting in a dead-heat.

“It was a big step today going from a class 2 to a Group 3 race but he stood up to the class,” commented Beartschiger. “He’s a very honest type.”

Best Tothelign recorded his seventh win and has only been unplaced once in 18 starts and has earned S$392,979. The gelding has become a polytrack specialist with six of those wins on the all-weather track.

“He’s had eight runs this campaign, which just shows what a genuine horse he is,” Baertschiger added.

A bargain $100 purchase as a yearling at the 2012 NZB National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, Best Tothelign was bought by NZB as agent from Highview.

Bred by Hong Kong Breeders Club Ltd, Best Tothelign is the only named foal of Danehill Dancer mare Dancertina, a granddaughter of Hong Kong Derby winner Corvette (Biarritz).