Kiwis in Command in Singapore

Karaka graduates Knight’s Command (NZ) (Pins) and Speedy Cat (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) produced an upset as they ran the quinella in the Sgp-3 S$150,000 Admiralty Classic Stakes (1600m) last night at Kranji.

Knight’s Command (NZ) beating Speedy Cat (NZ) in the Sgp-3 Admiralty Classic Stakes. Photo courtesy of STC.

Trained by ex-pat kiwi trainer Bruce Marsh, Knight’s Command entered the race as the winner of his last two starts over 1600m but was stepping up in grade and taking on highly rated horses Slew of Lode (Lode) and Corboda (Exeed and Excel) who dominated the betting.

Marsh retained the services of apprentice jockey Zuriman Zulkifli who was aboard the son of Pins for his last two wins even though he could not utilise his claim in the race.

Zuriman let his mount stride to sit outside the leader and race-favourite Slew of Lode in a moderately run race. It was evident Knight’s Command had the race-favourite in trouble and he surged to the front with 200m to go. Speedy Cat tried valiantly to chase down Knight’s Command but the six-year-old gelding was too strong, winning by three-quarters of a length for a delighted Zuriman.

“He always looked like being a very good horse, we bought him hoping to win the Derby,” commented Marsh. “Unfortunately we kept him a colt too long and he got quite heavy which gave him a few problems and kept him out of form for quite a while.

“He has always had the tendency to hang out so we having been racing him recently in a one-sided blinker which has helped, but because the pace was so slow he was pulling quite hard and got on an outward movement, covering a bit of extra ground unnecessarily but still got to the line very strongly.

“It has all come together and he has really found his true ability now and I think he can still go further.

“Long-term, I have always thought, even though he hasn’t gone over a distance, I feel that he could be a genuine Singapore Gold Cup horse in November which is $1.2m for local horses.”

Sunday night’s win was the fourth victory from 21 starts in Singapore for Knight’s Command who has earned S$240,000 for the Tits & Lfs Stable. The gelding was previously a winner of three races from five starts in New Zealand for trainer Stephen McKee.

Bred by Jomara Bloodstock Ltd, Knight’s Command is out of Group 1 Waikato International Stakes winner Emerald Dream (Danehill) and is a half-brother to dual Listed winner Zabene (Zabeel).

IDL Racing originally purchased Knight’s Command for $250,000 from the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale from Hallmark Stud.