Things are really heating up here with the Gr1 Emirates Singapore Derby this Sunday. I’m writing this fresh after attending the draw which was held in the popular Raffles Place shopping centre and I have to applaud the team from Emirates and the Turf Club, writes Gareth Pepper.
Well Done – a massive runner in Derby
Out in the square, open to the public, my colleague Matt Jones did an outstanding job at hosting the live draw and the turnout was terrific.
As has become tradition with Emirates, they had four lovely hostesses in attendance helping with the draw and the man in charge of Emirates in these parts of the world, Andrew Bunn, was on hand full of energy and sparking life into the draw.
Majestic Moments could aslo have a say in the finish
Chatting to Andrew after the draw, it really was apparent how passionate he is not only about Emirates but the Turf Club and their continued sponsorship of the Derby.
It is like a breath of fresh air having passionate race goers and patrons but to have a sponsor that is just as enthusiastic really is the cherry on the top.
Now to the Derby, it is wide open.
Pat Shaw – strong Derby hand
In my short stint here, I have not seen a more open contest and I really am finding it difficult to pin down my selections.
Pat Shaw has his strong hand and unfortunately does not include Perfect P who was likely to be his no.1 contender.
It’s up to Nuresh Juglall aboard Majestic Moments and Barend Vorster who partners Argentinian Gr1 Winner Blue Danube to fly the flag for Pat as part of a four- pronged attack.
‘Hollywood’ Peters saddles three runners including winner of the first leg of the series in the form of Titanium – but don’t leave out his other runner Mighty Warrior if your’e taking a quartet.
In the end I may go the way of improving stayer Mr Spielberg trained by Laurie Laxon or recent Gr1 winner Well Done for local trainer David Kok and returning rider Michael Rodd, who booted home two winners, a second and a fourth from four rides on Friday night to show just how talented he is!
Don’t miss the Derby, it promises to be an absolute beauty and I can’t wait for it!
Piere Strydom – another cracking ride
All in all this weekend’s racing is outstanding and if you get a chance please do watch as much as you can.
I must congratulate Joey Ramsden and his team on a great victory with The Conglomerate.
A masterful ride was again produced by Striker and he showed why he is one of the greatest around. Well done to the connections too, for what they have invested in our beautiful sport, it is a truly deserved success allround.
I believe JR and JZ , our President Mr Zuma of course, shared an amusing greeting on stage which unfortunately I missed.
My coverage was soured by the fact that it was stop start from about Race 5 and completely dysfunctional just after the national anthem, which I must admit brought a tear to my eye as I sang it proudly to cheers from newly made friends who were just as excited to catch the action of their first July.
The young Curro School choir that performed not only the anthem but another piece were outstanding – but not even their brilliant performance could cheer me up and I only managed to catch the replay on Sunday morning as I eventually gave up on trying to get the stream working.
In the end I decided that was enough for me to make my mind up and make sure I would not miss next year’ running – so here’s hoping I will be in KZN on the first Saturday of July in 2017!
