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Ultra-consistent galloper Golden Sand Steed added to his record by claiming the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1000m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Ridden by apprentice Shafiq Rizuan, Golden Sand Steed scored by a head from the well-supported favourite Got Luck (Danny Beasley) with Shipping Forecast (John Powell) two-and-a-quarter lengths away in third place.
Golden Sand Steed has been one of the most consistent sprinters racing in Singapore with the New Zealand-bred gelding having now won six of his 18 starts, but he also has a further 10 minor placings to his credit.
While most of his racing has been on the Polytrack, a surface that all his six victories have been achieved on, he’s also been placed two times from three starts on the turf.
Shafiq allowed Golden Sand Steed time to balance up in in fourth place early. Got Luck led the way from Bionic Boy (Tengku Rehaizat) with Shipping Forecast and Golden Sand Steed next in line.
Turning for home Shafiq edged out into clear galloping room under a good hold and quickly leveled up to Got Luck. He looked set to go on and record an easy victory, but Got Luck, a winner of four of his previous five starts, wouldn’t be denied with Beasley extracting every little last bit from that gelding.
New Zealand trainer Mark Walker described Gold Sand Steed as a “tough little bugger” and a great advertisement for Singapore racing.
“He’s got the heart of a lion,” said Walker. “He was purchased for NZ$65,000 out of Karaka and that win today has taken his prizemoney to around $330,000.
“It’s (Singapore) one of the best models for racing in the world. This horse would not have been able to win this sort of money back home.
“He’s getting better with age. His sire Pins gets good horses and is proving a versatile stallion as well.
“I don’t have any big plans with him. We’ll just pick our way through the grades for the time being. He’s still only lightly-raced and hopefully can keep his record going.”
Shafiq said Golden Sand Steed only has a short sharp sprint and is usually better off when ridden a little further back off the speed, but with Got Luck engaged he wanted to be closer in the run.
“He jumped well and he put himself into the race from the start,” said Shafiq. “I didn’t want to be giving Got Luck too much start either as I knew he is a good horse.
“He likes being held up for a late sprint but today I probably got to the front just a bit too soon but he fought hard and won the race.”
Golden Sand Steed is a four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Pins from Ambitious and is raced by ST Resources Stable.
