Titanium (NZ) too Tough in Stewards’ Cup

Tavistock four-year-old Titanium (NZ) (Tavistock) won the biggest race of his career to date when taking out the $300,000 Sgp-2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) at Kranji on Sunday.

The gelding, who has been through the sale ring twice at Karaka, returned from a spell to secure the first leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge for trainer James Peters, the first feature race win of the young trainer’s career after taking the reins from Michael Freedman.

Drawing gate 15 did not impact on Titanium with jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim settling him at the back, biding his time until swooping around the outside of the field to for an authoritative two-and-a-half-length victory over My Lucky Strike (Charge Forward).

“He’s a horse who goes very well fresh and has a very good turn of foot. All he needs is a hard pace upfront to finish it off,” commented Peters.

“I was never bothered by the wide draw. He’s a horse who gets back and I know he can really let down.

“That’s what I told Harry (A’Isisuhairi). Get back and let him come into the race as the race unfolds.

“We’re definitely looking forward to the mile and the Derby now.”

The second Leg of the coveted Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge is the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 19 while the grand final, the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) will be run on July 10.

Titanium was first offered at the NZB 2013 Select Sale, before making his second appearance at the 2013 Ready to Run Sale where he was purchased from Mana Park for $47,500.

In the first race of the day another Tavistock raced to victory with the Te Akau Racing trained Storm Trooper (NZ) (Tavistock) winning the Singapore TC War Affair Stakes (1400m).