Spalato came into Sunday’s Kranji Sprint with excellent form. His two wonderful victories, especially his second up run and win and some scintillating trackwork, made him a popular fancy. But the scene was set for an upset, suggests Gareth Pepper.
Emperor Max – top win
Cue the worst situation – a storm of huge proportions, a 30 minute delay and the writing was on the wall!
One thing we need to take into account is that Spalato’s two biggest rivals were both returning after lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Zac Spirit had had knee surgery, flown back to Australia to recuperate and had endured another flight back.
Emperor Max too had some travel under the belt.
He had been to Ascot and had not raced since 17 October. Zac was up 15 kg’s while Max was racing 13 kg’s lighter than his last run on Singaporean soil.
Spalato – out of sorts
It was a puzzle that was quickly put together.
After a few hundred metres, Spalato was not travelling with his customary fluidity.
Max and Zac, however, were hard on the steel and rounding the home turn both quickened on demand.
Max was first to stake his claim and it looked like Zac would be his biggest challenger. He was, but ran out of steam come the last 100m. It was Max that held on to win impressively and ruin the Spalato party.
Well done to the Gray camp on a great feat and I am sure both Max and Zac will make their presence felt in the $800 000 Lion City Cup at the end of the month.
A short note on the second feature of the day.
Patrick Shaw – genuine stayer!
The 1800m Turf contest was won by Pat Shaw and his charge In Fact.
His stable apprentice MM Firdaus rode a really mature race and he is a youngster to follow.
It was a welcome return to the feature race winners enclosure for Fred Crabbia and again Pat Shaw took out a staying feature.
One thing is for ‘Shaw’, Pat’s a banker in them!
We have had a few changes in the training ranks here.
James Peters – aka Hollywood
This weekend welcomed James Peters with his first runners. James is a likeable expat from the UK who has ridden a few winners in the National Hunt world!
He has worked In Singapore for over 6 years for Michael Freedman and is now the Captain of the yard. James had a fantastic weekend saddling 12 runners for a winner, six seconds and a third.
Hollywood, as I call him, as he wouldn’t be out of place in a boy band with his Bieber like comb-over and stylish dance moves that would rival those of Justin Snaith, has made a solid impression and I wish him all of the best as he takes the step up.
Follow him with interest, he now trains Magnum among many other lovely individuals here at Kranji, and has a seriously bright future ahead of him!
Till next time.
