3 minute read
Singapore Derby placegetter Elite Invincible reigned supreme in the Gold Cup on Sunday, aided by a masterful ride from Benny Woodworth.
Lining up from the widest draw, Woodworth made his intentions clear early, when springing the gates to take up the lead.
Finding the fence just past the winning post (for the first time), Elite Invincible eased back to settle third with the Michael Clements trained Mcgregor pressing on.
Enjoying a lovely run in transit, Elite Invincible travelled well into the straight and with Mcgregor swinging wide on the home turn, Elite Invincible enjoyed the saloon passage up the fence.
Hitting the front shortly after, Elite Invincible kicked clear with class galloper Circuit Land stalking him throughout.
Easing off his heels inside the 200m, Circuit Land loomed up to challenge, however Elite Invincible was too strong, scoring narrowly on the line.
Singapore Guineas winner Mr Clint did a great job to stick on for third, having done a fair bit of work early when pressing on to settle outside the lead.
Race favourite King Louis got a long way back and never really threatened, working home fairly to finish sixth.
Already a Group 1 winner, Elite Invincible won the Charity Bowl [1600m] back in June, before no match for Jupiter Gold in the Derby [1800m].
Kept poking along over unsuitable distances (1200m & 1400m), Elite Invincible clearly relished the step up in trip when producing a peak performance on Sunday.
Rated 104 by Timeform, Elite Invincible sits just below the winning average for the past five years.
Better Life remains the highest rated winner of the event (116), with both War Affair and Quechua equaling that mark when game in defeat in 2014 & 2015 respectively.
The Lee Freedman trained Circuit Land was rated 114 finishing second, again showcasing how difficult it is to win the Gold Cup at the top of the weights.
On Friday night the Shane Baertschiger trained Bold Thruster couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the Group 3 SAAS Fee Stakes [1200m].
His fourth win from six starts, Bold Thruster gave his rivals little chance, when leading throughout in fast time.
Having gone down narrowly two back behind talented sprinter Zac Kasa, Bold Thruster took a good step forward on Friday night, returning a new career peak.
Rated 98 by Timeform, Bold Thruster is the highest rated 3YO in Singapore and looks to have more to come.
Now sent for a spell, Bold Thruster will return for the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
The cat is certainly out of the bag with this one, however that’s not to say he can’t continue his rise to be one of Singapore’s best sprinters.
Either way, he is a must for your blackbook.