Singapore Success for Race Ahead and Waikato
14 July 2010
It was a night for the Kiwis in Singapore on Sunday, with the two feature races at the Group 1 Singapore Derby meeting claimed by New Zealand produced gallopers.
Striking the top form that saw him win the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) in April, Race Ahead (Al Akbar x Mertie Love) completed a rare double with yesterday's dominant performance in the feature S$1.15 million Group 1 Singapore Derby.
It has been 15 years since a QEII Cup winner has gone on to win the Derby which was last achieved by Courtline Jester. �
Race Ahead was on the pace all the way; positioned third at the 600m he kicked as the field swung for home and hit the lead to power down the long Kranji straight, holding off New Rose Wood to take out the race by three quarters of a length.
Applying blinkers proved to be the key to success for New Zealand trainer Bruce Marsh after Race Ahead trialed well in them on Tuesday. The future looks bright for the four-year-old who has notched up nine wins from 20 starts for his owners Race Ahead Stable.
Marsh brought current NZ jockey premiership leader Opie Bosson out for the race and Bosson, who already has a Singapore Gold Cup victory to his name (Recast, 2007), was delighted with the strong performance from Race Ahead.
�"This has to be up there with my biggest wins, both here and back home," commented a jubilant Bosson.
Earlier in the evening at Kranji the Laurie Laxon trained Waikato brought his impressive earnings to $1,492,774 when taking out the S$200,000 Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes (1400m).
In what was his first start since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines Cup (2000m) in May, Waikato was back to his favoured distance of 1400m scoring by a length and a half over Lim's Fighter.�
Out of Skywalker Wilkes and by Waikato Stud sire Pins, the six-year-old gelding shares the same sire as New Zealand Bloodstock reigning Filly of the Year Katie Lee. Bought at the Karaka 2005 Premier Yearling Sale by Laurie Laxon for $50,000 from Highview Stud, Waikato is owned by Silver Fern Racing Stable.
Other NZB gallopers to win in Singapore on Sunday night:
| Horse | Breeding� | Race | Breeder | NZB Sale Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Leg | St. Petersburg x Plex | Class 4 (1400M) | Grande Vue Lodge Syndicate | B: NZB, V:�Carberry Farm, S: 06 South Island Sale, P: $12,000 |
| April's Knight | Johar x It's Spring Again | Maiden (1400m) | Highview Stud Ltd | B: Mr H Forbes, V: Highview Stud, S: 08 Premier Sale, P: $57,500� |
| Tolmon Nika | High Chaparral x Matchplay | Maiden (1400m) | Huntington Bloodstock Ltd | B: Dr KC Tan, V: Curraghmore Stud, S: 08 Premier Sale, P: $120,000 |
| Silver Element | Pentire x L'Affair | Kranji Stakes (2200M) | Mrs J M & T M Henderson & Ms M E Kent | B: Kranji Thoroughbreds Ltd, V: Bluegables Farm, S: 07 Select Sale, P: $110,000 |
| Chief Secretary | Johar x Anakela Bay | Initiation (1600m) | P J & P M Vela Ltd | B: Wallace Thoroughbreds Ltd, V: Pencarrow Stud, S: 08 Premier Sale, P: $80,000 |