The build-up towards the $1.35 million Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup on Sunday, November 13 enters the home straight as the likely contenders start to emerge.
With a total purse of $1.35 million, the 2,200-metre long race is the richest race on the domestic racing calendar and is rightly regarded as Singapore’s premier handicap race.
The Singapore Gold Cup also constitutes after the Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup the third and final Leg of the prestigious Singapore Triple Crown Series, which has yet to be won by any horse.
First run in 1924 at the Serangoon Road Race Course at Farrer Park, the Gold Cup then carried prizemoney worth only $1,600 and was won by a Javanese horse called Thelasocrete.
The legendary Three Rings is the only horse to have won the Gold Cup three times (1954, 1956 and 1957) while multiple champion trainer Ivan Allan holds the record of most wins with nine (1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990).
Interrupted as a result of World War II from 1942 through 1947, the Singapore Gold Cup which will be sponsored for the second year running by leading Swiss watchmaker Longines, will therefore be at its 82nd running, which like previous years, will see no shortage of runners joining in the “Gold Rush”.
Taking pride of place is Raffles Cup winner Always Certain, who with a rating of 111, will be shouldering the topweight.
The last three winners of the Gold Cup have also been nominated. Japanese-bred El Dorado, who won the race in 2008 and 2009, is back after missing last year through injury and Risky Business, the victor last year under leading Australian jockey Glen Boss, is back for another shot.
Trainers Patrick Shaw, who landed the Gold Cup with lightweight chance Mr Line in 2006, Steven Burridge and Michael Freedman have nominated three horses apiece.
South African import Lizarre, who recently captured one of the best Gold Cup trials, the Mandai Classic Stakes (2200m), heads Shaw’s trio which also comprises Paulinho and Maurice Utrillo.
Other than Risky Business, reigning Singapore champion trainer Burridge has also entered Speed Baby and Hint in a bid to repeat the former’s feat, while Freedman will be pinning his hopes for a first Gold Cup triumph on Always Certain, Zac Missile and Nandowra.
Kiwi trainers Laurie Laxon (Martial Art and Gordon Roberts) and Mark Walker (Flying Fulton and Tell A Tale) have two hopefuls each while trainers Cliff Brown, Hideyuki Takaoka, Don Baertschiger, Tan Hor Khoon and Brian Dean will bank on Emirates Singapore Derby winner Clint, dual Gold Cup winner El Dorado, Desert Links, Fatkid and Honest Broker respectively.
The Kranji Stakes C race over 2200m on November 4 is also shaping up as a last throw of the dice for a final berth for some of their Cup aspirants. In the line-up are horses like the Brown pair of Samurai Phoenix and Steadfast Warrior or Bruce Marsh’s King Faalcon who are still in the running but need a win to boost their chances of facing the starter on November 13.
For more information on the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, please visit www.goldcup.sg
About Singapore Turf Club
Founded in 1842 as the Singapore Sporting Club, the Singapore Turf Club is today, the only
authorised operator of horse-racing and its totalisator services in Singapore. It aspires to be an
efficient, effective and socially responsible organisation, committed to providing legalised wagering on
quality horse racing with integrity. It is the agent and proprietary club of the Tote Board, Singapore,
which manages and directs the Club’s donation of surplus funds for charitable purposes.
Visit www.turfclub.com.sg
About Longines
Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than
175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world
championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations.
Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s
leading manufacturer of chronological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand
has outlets in over 130 countries.
ISSUED BY SINGAPORE TURF CLUB
For enquiries please contact:
Mr Michael Lee, Journalist (Digital Media): 6879 1436
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Craig Brennan, Journalist (Digital Media): 6879 1875
E-mail: [email protected]
