Martial Art Wins Goodwill Stakes

The Longines Singapore Gold Cup Day saw Karaka graduate Martial Art gallop to victory in the S$75,000 Goodwill Stakes (1800m) on Sunday at Kranji.

Jumping from the widest gate of the seven horse field, Martial Art settled at the rear of the field for the duration of the race before being taken wide on the bend by jockey Saimee Jumaat and driving for home along the straight. In a determined effort Martial Art crossed the line half a length in front of New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate Fatkid (Handsome Ransom x Grace Jones).

Trained by Laurie Laxon and raced by Silver Fern Racing Stable this was Martial Art's first win in Singapore. The four-year-old is the son of Tiger Hill out of the Sadler's Wells mare Kwan and was purchased from the 2008 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale by David Ellis for $250,000 from Pencarrow Stud.

Pencarrow Stud had another strong performing horse on the day with Big Maverick (O'Reilly x Ajfan), also trained by Laurie, placed third in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m).

Martial Art spearheaded a successful day for the Kiwis at Kranji with another two graduates of the Karaka sale ring notching up wins for trainer Mark Walker who enjoyed his first success in Singapore.

The New Zealand trainer, who only arrived in Singapore at the start of September, got his first points on the board when just his eighth runner, Rio Fortune (Captain Rio x Bahira) won the $75,000 Humanity Stakes over 1200m. This was immediately followed it up with a race-to-race double when Corsage (Volksraad x Spray) took out the $65,000 Kindness Stakes (1400m).

Both horses were purchased by David Ellis of Te Akau Racing Stable at the 2008 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale where Rio Fortune sold for $140,000 from Westbury Stud while Corsage sold for $25,000 from Windsor Park Stud.