Singapore, May 2009

[Adrian]

With less than three weeks to the Singapore Turf Club’s big International raceday on 17 May, the fields for the International Group 1 $3million Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2000 metres and the Singapore Group 1 $1million KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200 metres are beginning to take shape.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP

Group 1 winners in two different countries last weekend headline the invitees for the SIA Cup.

POMPEII RULER returned to winning form at Randwick in Australia on April 25 when successful in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m for Mick Price while PRESVIS, who will represent England, landed the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup over the same trip a day later in Hong Kong.

Presvis is trained by Luca Cumani who will be chasing his second SIA Cup having won the race with Endless Hall in 2001.

GLORIA DE CAMPEAO, a Brazilian-bred for French trainer Pascal Bary, joins Presvis to form a strong European contingent. The six-year-old entire has not raced since finishing second to Well Armed in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup over 2000m at Nad Al Sheba on March 28.

Also from Australia is the Mike Moroney-trained SARRERA, equal runner-up to Pompeii Ruler in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the victor of the 2008 edition.

Last year’s SIA Cup winner JAY PEG returns representing South Africa for trainer Herman Brown and will be joined by BANKABLE from Mike De Kock’s yard.

Japanese galloper TASCATA SORTE will line-up for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara while Godolphin – which won the race with Grandera in 2002 – returns for another tilt with last year’s SIA Cup third placegetter BALIUS – a recent addition to their team.

Five local gallopers will take on the overseas contingent, spearheaded by the Laurie Laxon-trained TOP SPIN, the 2008 Horse Of The Year and winner of last year’s Group 1 Singapore Derby.

Joining Top Spin will be last year’s Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winner EL DORADO, Group 2 Three-Year-Old Challenge 3rd leg winner THE HORNET, Group 3 Chairman’s Trophy winner ANY HUMOUR and recent runner-up in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup RICOCO.

KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT

The KrisFlyer Sprint will see some of the world’s best sprinters in action, highlighted by the return of the Australian and reigning KrisFlyer Sprint champion TAKEOVER TARGET.

Despite his years and spreading girth, Takeover Target looked on song for the defence of his crown with a devastating first-up victory in the Group 1 T.J. Smith over 1200m at Randwick on April 18.

Hong Kong has two representatives – INSPIRATION and SACRED KINGDOM. This pair has been successful in the last two runnings of the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin in December – regarded as one of the world’s premier sprint races.

Europe will be represented by Group 1 placed PRIME DEFENDER from the Barry Hills yard and the Kevin Ryan-trained three-year-old filly MADAME TROP VITE who won the Flying Childers Stakes at two.

South Africa will be represented by dual Group 1 winner MYTHICAL FLIGHT for Sean Tarry, while DIABOLICAL lines up under the banner of Godolphin, rounding out the overseas contingent in Singapore’s premier sprint event.

Undefeated three-year-old and Group 1 Lion City Cup hero ROCKET MAN spearheads a strong local representation that also includes WAIKATO, CAPABLANCA, LIM’S FIGHTER, FANTASTIC OWNERS, ONCEUPONATIME and BEAU BRUMMELL.

[MDeering]

Just another Group 1 win for Takeover Target today in the Goodwood Handicap – if Jay Ford was riding for the punters, he would’ve been assassinated returning to scale, as TT appeared to be "struggling" 200m from home, unable to pick up leader I Am Invincible.

It was well documented throughout the week that I Am Invincible would lead and create the catch-me-if-you-can scenario.

Whilst Nash Rawiller (riding in the T.J. Smith Stakes) was able to quicken TT with a few nudges, Jay Ford’s response under similar minimal urging was non-existent. He punched out TT to a half-length win, which satisfied the roaring fans.

I’m convinced Jay Ford should be jocked off, comparing the performances of the Goodwood and the T.J. Smith. If it’s the difference between TT winning the KrisFlyer Sprint/Golden Jubilee Stakes and failing – wait and see.

One thing’s for sure – TT runs into a superior class of horseflesh in this year’s KrisFlyer.

[wit]

background piece by murray bell in scmp :

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news … 90506e.asp

including in passing on the Krisflyer:

====================
…Rocket Man, unbeaten in seven starts and a runaway winner of the Group One Lion City Cup at his last start…….. ridden by a truly international jockey in Robbie Fradd. Normally an arch conservative, Fradd dares to mention Rocket Man in the same breath as the great Fairy King Prawn and Electronic Unicorn and has been doing so since his earliest wins.

====================

[wit]

cards now up for Sunday:

Krisflyer (12:50 UK time):

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/tabid/202/ct … fault.aspx

SAIC (13:40 UK time):

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/tabid/202/ct … fault.aspx

with fuller background links here:

http://www.siacup.com.sg/

find it hard to look beyond Rocket Man (against an apparently unhappy Takeover Target, quarantined separately for onward Ascot trip), and Presvis.

all of them currently around 6/4 or 7/4 with UK bookies: local tote yet to get going, as too the various simulcast markets in the region.

wit

[MDeering]

Did Blue Square make a schoolboy error by quoting Rocket Man @ 7-1?

I called the firm twice, anxiously trying to open an account w/ them!!!

Takeover Target won in 1:08.8 last year (course record at the time).

Rocket Man won a local Group 1 (the Lion City Cup) in 1:08.7 carrying the same weight he’ll bear on Sunday.

I find it difficult to see TT going faster, but he’s stunned punters before – from the recent T.J. Smith to his Sprinters Stakes rout in 2007.

The TT publicity vehicle is motoring in sixth gear this week – here’s hoping every mug and his dog hones in on TT and I sneak off with $4+ for the Rocket!

[tbracing]

Presvis makes another international appearence this Sunday bidding to bag another big prize, £826,087.00 to be exact. Be interesting to see if everyones favourite runner up, Bankable, can do his old master out of another big purse.

If the post is right Bankable has changed ownership from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (which ever one that is, a cousin to the Big Daddy Skeikh Mo my research would have me believe) to Ramzan Kadyrov. He sent a Mourilyan over to Gary Moore last year for a spin on the AW, maybe he will send Bankable to Gary Moore to be plotted up for a big handicap hurdle before swiftly on to claim the Champion Hurdle

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Default.aspx

Singapore jockey club site looks quite useful. Giving the stalls statistics a glance it would appear Presvis has it all to do from stall 12, 35 horses have gone under starters orders without victory from that box and he will be widest on the track with 12 runners due to line up.

Thoughts anyone?

Tim

[halfwaytoheaven]

Tim, they were writing off Prevsis before his last run at Sha Tin where it was stated he wouldnt be able to come from behind on a yielding track like the one at Sha Tin and he did so.

I like Presvis a lot, I’ve made no secret of that previously and am still gutted he’s ineligible for the Arc etc. I’d expect him to win in Singapore.

However, the 7/4 on him has gone and he’s now 6/5 in place after getting what admitedly is a poor draw. This I cant understand.

For me, the value this weekend would be to chance him in a treble with Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes (USA) and Takeover Target (KrisFlyer). It’s a risky ol’treble but would return at just over 14/1

[tbracing]

Didn’t realise there was a thread already open, sorry folks

[Adrian]

I’m enjoying being in Singapore on the eve of the meeting and most of the connections have arrived now with the exceptions of Frankie and Ryan Moore who fly in overnight after racing at Newbury today.

Weather has been stormy all week – not suprising in Sing – but they have the turf officially good for today’s afternoon prelude.

Presvis will be deserved favourite for the SAIC although barrier 12 of 12
may not be ideal and Ryan hasn’t ridden here before. As a fast finisher this track (the short bend) won’t be ideal – similarly Balius may be finishing
best of all.

Jay Peg and the local outsider Ricocco should make the pace and I favour Jay Peg for a repeat win as he looks fantastic and Herman says it is the first time since last year that he’s had him at the right weight.

Pompeii Ruler is getting a big thumbs up from the Aussie journos and he could run into a place at decent odds on BlueSq.

The Sprint seems to be a match between Takeover Target (Archie) and
Rocket Man who is unbeaten here and has clocked fantastic times,including in a barrier trial last Thursday. The Locals and the knowledgeable Aussies (who watch this racing) have steamed in and take the best prices about Rocket Man and whilst I think he is something special I think Archie is now the value. He won the race last year, in in cracking Group 1 form and has the maturity and experience that this sort of international racing demands. The run to the first bend will be all important and I think Archie’s good barrier draw seals it for me.

Hopefully Archie and Inspiration (one of two excellent Hong Kong contenders) will then come on to Royal Ascot. Inspiration and Sacred Kingdom have won the last 2 runnings of the International sprint in HK and their ability at this level is well documented. Apparently SK is now something like at his best form as well and I thought he galloped well on the turf here a couple of days ago.

[wit]

who is this chap making the news in today’s South China Morning Post ?

===================

Today’s Group One KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore, featuring Hong Kong stars Sacred Kingdom and Inspiration, will probably be the best sprint race in the world this year, according to the head of the International Racing Bureau.

Adrian Beaumont, whose company is a key partner to the successful staging of these international race meetings, believes today’s event will establish a quality benchmark for 2009 which can only be bettered by the Cathay Pacific (SEHK: 0293) Hong Kong Sprint in December.

"It’s a big statement, I know, but with Takeover Target, Sacred Kingdom, Inspiration and this exciting local horse Rocket Man, this will be the best KrisFlyer Sprint to date and probably the best sprint anywhere in the world this year," Beaumont said.

"I doubt any of the big sprints in Europe over the summer will measure up to it, and if there is a better race for the year I doubt we’ll see it until the Hong Kong Sprint." …………

===============

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news … 0517bb.asp

separate topic, but good to see that Murray has also tracked down the HK owner of Sea The Stars:

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news … 90517c.asp

best regards

wit

[Anonymous]

No form on the RP database for Rocket Man, but videos of his races are on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=melXIZyj8Os

Kranji looks a tight track, and Presvis has it all to do to come right around the field, as he will have to start his run well before the straight. It will need a remarkable ride for him to win this, imo.
Rocket Man also has a poor draw, but appears to have the early speed for it not to be too much of a problem. 2/1 looks generous, given his record.

[wit]

course racecards here:

http://www.siacup.com.sg/Portals/0/docs … 202009.xls

Takeover Target has run to 120 his last two runs. Rocket Man, though a steady improver, to date has a best of 118, but has twice beaten TT’s course record here easing down.

They continue to vie for 6/4-ish favouritism on Kranji tote, accessible from the UK on enhanced "super" terms with Aussie bookies Centrebet or IASbet:

http://www.iasbet.com/site/racing/racin … 247&index=

The early HK simulcast has Rocket Man 2.2 and TT 4.0 (for the two simulcast races, click the 17/05/2009 S1 option behind the 17/05/2009 Sha Tin option):

http://bet.hkjc.com/default.aspx?url=/r … px?lang=en

For sure its not a gimme for Presvis, but the memory of his recent HK win has him currently odds-on on the HK simulcast.

Pompeii Ruler seems to be being backed with IASbet, per Adrian’s write-up..

.

[MDeering]

IASbet market moves are fairly inaccurate, wit – more unreliable since you need to account for bias when an Australian bookmaker is shortening the price of an Australian horse in an int’l race.

[wit]

….though he is also showing as favourite on the place market in the HK simulcast at the moment, though admittedly still to buttons.

maybe a couple of straws in the wind ?

[wit]

Sacred Kingdom wins by neck from Rocket Man in 1:07:8, a full second faster than TT’s record time from last year. Clear of field.

Ricky Yiu says the world’s top-rated sprinter of the past two years will now have a rest in HK.

TT didn’t fire – query Ascot trip.

Pompeii Ruler has opened fav on Aussie SuperTAB, with Presvis second fav at 3.6.

Aussie shows here – together with link bottom left on that page for Aussie racing radio:

http://www.iasbet.com/site/racing/racin … tId=506246

[wit]

nothing lost in defeat by Presi:

http://videos.turfclub.com.sg/20090517SR09.wmv

sacred kingdom:

http://videos.turfclub.com.sg/20090517SR08.wmv

wit

[stilvi]

nothing lost in defeat by Presi:

http://videos.turfclub.com.sg/20090517SR09.wmv

wit

Can you elaborate – he has had a pretty hard race and lost?

[Author]

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