Part deux.....
CRUSOE (NZ) – 4yo b g, VOLKSRAAD x CASERIO – Rating: 107
TRAINER : Laurie Laxon
JOCKEY : Andrew Calder
OWNER : Robert Allyn Emery
STATISTICS : 11-5-3-0
PRIZE MONEY : $472,038
New Zealand import Crusoe has lived up to the big wraps around him. A winner of the Listed Champagne Stakes when a two-year-old and second runner-up to NZ champion Darci Brahma in last year’s Group 1 2000 Guineas, the Volksraad gelding has not let down his connections by replicating his form in Singapore. Restricted to sprint races at the beginning, Crusoe passed his first stamina test in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) when he stayed on for second despite being caught in no man’s land for most of the race.
ROYAL ADMIRAL (NZ) – 5yo b g, STARJO x KILMAGHENNY – Rating: 105
TRAINER : Laurie Laxon
JOCKEY : Noel Callow
OWNER : Dragon Stable
STATISTICS : 25-6-2-4
PRIZE MONEY : $512,021
Royal Admiral has been one of trainer Laurie Laxon’s most consistent performers, especially last season when he booted home five wins. While his initial foray at Group level did not meet with success, the handy middle-distance galloper by Starjo broke into the big league this year by taking out the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) under an inspired ride by top jockey Noel Callow, who will be associated with him again in the SIA Cup.
SETEMBRO CHOVE (BRZ) – 5yo b h, FAST GOLD x SETTING TRENDS – Rating: 103
TRAINER : Patrick Shaw
JOCKEY : Robbie Fradd
OWNER : Jose Luiz Rego Glaser
STATISTICS : 8-1-2-1
PRIZE MONEY : $309,825
Brazilian-bred Setembro Chove has been imported with the big races in mind, and though he has yet to win one, he was far from disgraced. At his very first Kranji start, the five-year-old entire ran second to Taurus in last year’s Group 1 Patron’s Bowl, which he followed up with a third in the Group 2 Singapore Derby (2000m). He was then spelled before coming back this preparation with strong performances, including a second in the Group 3 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m) and a fourth in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m). He finally opened his winning accounts when he took out an Open race over 1800m.
WAR HORN (ARG) – 5yo b g, FESTIN x FORLI VOUS – Rating: 101
TRAINER : Patrick Shaw
JOCKEY : Barend Vorster
OWNER : Alfredo Crabbia
STATISTICS : 34-6-8-4
PRIZE MONEY : $744,559
Third-season campaigner will be at his second SIA Cup when he ran eighth to Cosmo Bulk last year. Two starts later he came away with the highlight of his racing career thus far – the Group 2 Singapore Derby Trial (1600m). He bowed out second best in last year’s Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) before producing a solid second-up third to Royal Admiral in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m).
|