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The International Stables at Kranji are starting to fill up with six new horses having made their way to Singapore overnight to bring to eight the number of overseas contenders to have arrived for the two big races
The sextet came in two different planeloads, one from England and the other one a much shorter flight from Hong Kong. They were originally scheduled to land around the same time at 1am, but finally touched down, almost four hours apart due to a delay to the Hong Kong flight caused by thunderstorms.
While the UK duo of Mull Of Killough and Side Glance, both Singapore Airlines International Cup runners, arrived on time at 00.50am, the four Hong Kong runners made up of last year’s SIA Cup winner and runner-up Military Attack and Dan Excel (both trained by John Moore), last year’s KrisFlyer International Sprint winner, the Caspar Fownes-trained Lucky Nine and first-time visitor Sterling City (also trained by Moore and entered for the KrisFlyer) only reached Changi Airport at 4.30am.
“The plane from Hong Kong was delayed by thunderstorms and only arrived at 4.30am,” said Dr Aileen Sandosham who also had Dr Jill Marquez, both from the Singapore Turf Club Veterinary department, with her to oversee the arrivals of the Hong Kong runners.
“But the horses were not the least bit affected and all looked in good shape and happy. All four boarded one float to reach Kranji around 6.20am and got off the float with no problem.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club vet who flew with them said they travelled well. Once here, they peed a good quantity of urine and we also took their temperatures.”
Likewise, Dr Curry Keoughan said that the two English horses have taken no ill-effects from their much longer flight, though he did report that the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Mull Of Killough, who came to Singapore last year (fifth in SIA Cup), was a little agitated upon arrival, but it was nothing they could not handle as he displayed the same behaviour last year.
“Mull Of Killough was again quite nervous when he is by himself too long, but he is fine when Side Glance is around,” said Dr Keoughan.
“They’re both in good shape and travelled well. Mull Of Killough looks to be in the same weight as he was last year and Side Glance also looked in good order.”
Prepared by Andrew Balding, Side Glance is a seasoned traveller who, besides England, has raced in US, Dubai, Hong Kong and Australia where he captured the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) last year.