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Singapore’s two International Group 1 races on 17 May have attracted a total of 146 horses hailing from 14 countries, including 42 local entries from Singapore, at the first round of nominations.
Singapore’s two International Group 1 races on 17 May have attracted a total of 146 horses hailing from 14 countries, including 42 local entries from Singapore, at the first round of nominations.
The S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m), which will be at its 15th renewal, has garnered 84 entries while the 10th edition of the S$1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m), the fourth Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge (GSC), has obtained 62 entries.
Last year’s dual-race hero Hong Kong is again well represented. The last two SIA Cup winners Military Attack (2013) and Dan Excel (2014) figure among their six entrants, which also include the former British colony’s current superstar Able Friend, who on 127 points, is one of the world’s highest-rated horses.
Similarly for the KrisFlyer, Hong Kong’s evergreen winner of the last two editions, Lucky Nine, will make a bold bid for a three-in-a-row. The rising nine-year-old has some lofty company in the form of the 2014 Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) winner Aerovelocity and leading sprinter Peniaphobia among others.
Among the other stellar nominations for the SIA Cup is Godolphin entry African Story (123 points), who won the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (2000m) at Meydan last Saturday, putting him in good stead for a title defence of last year’s win in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m). Godolphin has also nominated Hunter’s Light, sixth in the 2013 SIA Cup and recent winner of the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m), and Prince Bishop.
Other overseas entries of note are Great Britain’s globetrotters and previous SIA Cup contenders Red Cadeaux and Side Glance who will try and have another shot, last year’s SIA Cup runner-up Smoking Sun for France and Group 1 NHK Mile Cup (2012) winner Curren Black Hill.
Singapore has thrown in the mix 21 of its best middle-distance performers highlighted by the likes of Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) winner Quechua, Argentinian Grade 1 winner Blue Danube and recent US-based winner of the inaugural Group 1 CECF Singapore Cup (1800m) winner Parranda, now under the care of Kranji trainer Michael Freedman.
Lucky Nine is not the only previous KrisFlyer International Sprint winner to figure on the list. Trainer Patrick Shaw has entered Singapore’s most famous racehorse Rocket Man - now nine years of age – and historic winner of the 2011 edition.
But Singapore’s next generation of elite sprinters are also in the running – last year’s runner-up Emperor Max and third-placed Zac Spirit as well as new stars Spalato and Magneto.
They will, however, have to reckon with some well-accomplished performers from other shores, such as the well-travelled Irish sprinter Gordon Lord Byron, Australian 2013 KrisFlyer runner-up Bel Sprinter and US Grade 1 winner Big Macher.