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A brand new partnership forged in the wake of last year’s Singapore Airlines International Cup was given a major boost when Military Alliance stormed to an impressive win in the $55,000 Class 4 race over 1600m on Sunday.
The Irish-bred four-year-old gelding by Oasis Dream dons the same lime green silks carried to an emphatic win by Military Attack in last year’s Group 1 SIA Cup (2000m) as they are both raced by Hong Kong owner Steven Lo.
While jockey Manoel Nunes was not aboard the John Moore-trained Military Attack in that famous win last May, (Zac Purton was), he was the one who played a key role in sparking Lo’s idea of spreading his wings to Kranji.
After Nunes recommended Freedman to Lo, the deal did not take long to be inked between the pair, with Military Alliance and Military Tactic the first two runners shipped over from Ireland and Australia respectively.
After a first-up run over a distance (1200m) not made to suit, Military Alliance who has scored over 2000m on the all-weather Lingfield track in UK, was a lot more at home over the Polytrack mile at his second Singapore outing.
Bustled up early by Nunes, Military Alliance ($28) speared over from his wide draw (11) to take a sit outside the early leader U Got It (Tan Wei Li). He stayed camped in that spot till the field straightened up when he started to lengthen up as soon as Nunes slipped some rein.
Favourite Adrenaline (Corey Brown) was not to be outdone, though, as he launched down the middle of the track with a stinging challenge, but Military Alliance was equal to the task as he raised another gallop to rally home an 1 ¼-length winner.
Smileswithhiseyes (Noh Senari), another Irish-bred, but who runs in the Lucky Stable colours, improved from his debut sixth to run third another length away. The winning time was 1min 39.27secs.
Nunes could not hide his delight he had been able to win aboard a horse he was instrumental in bringing to our shores.
“I’ve ridden many winners for Mr Lo, both in Macau and Hong Kong. The two Moore brothers, John and Gary were the trainers,” said Nunes.
“I helped him get in touch with Michael when he said he was keen to send horses here. The other horse Military Tactic has done well too, when he ran a very good second to Gold Dancer at his second start.
“I’m very happy I was able to ride a first winner for Mr Lo.”
Nunes, who has been the only jockey to ride Mr Lo's two horses, both in trackwork and in races, said he was confident Military Alliance would be right in the mix at his second run given the rise in distance and the switch to a surface he handled well.
“I’ve watched his videos when he won over 2000m in UK and I found out he likes to be there on the pace,” said the Brazilian jockey, who currently leads the Singapore jockey’s premiership on 28 wins.
“From the wide barrier, I had to ride him positive. I work on him all the time and I know he has the speed to do that.
“At the 600m he was coming along easy and was very comfortable in his action. I know what I had under me and he won very well in the end.
“I was very confident before the race as his condition had improved a lot and I also knew the Polytrack would suit him as he won on dirt in England.”
Freedman added that the heavy rain which fell during the day, incidentally the first heavy shower the whole country had experienced in a long time, made the underfoot conditions even kinder to his charge.
“The 1200m was too short for him at his first run, but he probably found the track too firm as well. The rain gave a little bit more give to the Polytrack, which he certainly appreciated,” said the Australian conditioner.
“From the wide gate, we had to ride him positive today or he would have sat four wide or come from last. He had to be used up a bit, but as he has staying ability, I was not too concerned.
“To win second-up over a mile was a pretty good effort from him. I will step him up in distance as he won over 2000m in UK and I may put him in the Derby mix at some stage.
“But there is still some way to go as he needs to keep improving and go through his grades.”
The Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) is the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and will be run on July 13.
Freedman was also pleased his budding alliance with Mr Lo has already returned a win.
“Mr Lo enjoyed his time in Singapore when Military Attack won the SIA Cup last year. As owners in Hong Kong are limited in terms of permits, he thought he could try Singapore,” he said.
“Manoel knew Mr Lo from Macau and Hong Kong, and he helped with the introduction. We’ve got just the two horses for now and hopefully this first win may bring in more!”
