War Affair (NZ) Stakes Claim on 3YO Challenge

Singapore’s Champion Juvenile of last season War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly) was back in the winner’s circle last night, triumphant in the first leg of the Singapore 3YO Challenge, the Sgp-3 Singapore 3YO Sprint (1200m).

War Affair (NZ) was successful in the Sgp-3 Singapore 3YO Sprint last night. Photo courtesy of STC.

The kiwi-bred three-year-old was the winner of last season’s Golden Horseshoe 2YO Series, and made a clean sweep of the More Magic 3YO Series, under the care of former trainer Mark Walker.

The son of O’Reilly was transferred to the stable of Alwin Tan for this season by his owners the Warplan Stable.

“I discussed with Danny and we decided to play a trick in the race. Everyone thought we would try to sit off the pace, but I decided to go forward to take them by surprise,” said Tan.

“It’s worked out in the end as he was fast enough to be on the pace. Last time Joao would ride him from the back, but this time he made his own luck and the others had to chase him.”

War Affair was worked through from his inside barrier by Danny Beasley to sit behind fellow Karaka graduate Faatless (NZ) (Faltaat), peeling off his heels to challenge in the straight. Faatless fought gamely but was no match for War Affair who asserted his dominance to win by 1.5 lengths over Faatless, with Desert Fox (Not a Single Doubt) running into third to secure a Karaka alumni trifecta in the race.

 “Based on his timing, he really showed me how capable he is today,” said Tan. “He’s really got a big heart.

“I was also happy with the way he ran straight as he was inclined to hang in last time. We’ve fixed his mouth ulcers, but we've overall put in a lot of effort to get him to win today.

“He will now go for the other two legs [of the 3YO Challenge]. I have no doubt he will be even better over 1400m and 1600m and eventually long distances as he is a stayer.

“I know there was a clean sweep at all the last four 3YO series’, and I would of course love to keep up the trend, but I will take one leg at a time as there may be other better horses who will come out in the other legs.”

Last night’s victory was the seventh from 10 starts for War Affair, and his fourth win at stakes level, earning over S$700,000 in prizemoney.

War Affair takes the lead in the Singapore 3YO Challenge with the second leg, the 3YO Classic (1400m) on 20 April followed by the Singapore Guineas (1600m).

Bred by Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd, War Affair is out of American-bred mare Kristique (Kris S), a daughter of four-time Group 1 winner Nastique (Naskra). David Ellis purchased War Affair for $70,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from Trelawney Stud.

War Affair continued a stellar run for his sire O’Reilly who also sired the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce winner O’Marilyn on Saturday following the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes victory of Silent Achiever the previous Saturday.