3 minute read

King Arthur was gunning for a hat-trick of wins in the $100,000 Better Life 2013 Stakes, a Class 1 race over 1200m on Sunday, and in a race with question marks on the winning chances of the majority of the field, he looked the obvious pick.

If there was a query on the Donna Logan-trained four-year-old, it was the step-up in class, but after starting the year with a win in a Class 4 race, he has progressed steadily through the grades and also ticked his turf credentials after winning the Class 2 race (1200m) at his last start.

Although King Arthur  ($20) won relatively comfortably by just under a length to the fast-finishing Big Hearted (Ibrahim Mamat) with pacemaker, Celavi (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) another length away in third, it was not all plain-sailing for the winner.

"We thought maybe we would be a spot closer than we were today," said Logan, immaculately dressed in a back-and-white ensemble befitting the big race day.

"And then (apprentice jockey) Yusoff (Fadzli) tried to peel out when he should have been looking in, as there was plenty of room on the inside.

"But he got shunted back in and he got through nicely when he burst for the lead.

"I think we have found the key to what makes this horse tick and I'm really honoured to train this horse for (owner) Fortuna (Racing Stable)."

Yusoff – who joins Jerlyn Seow and Iskandar Rosman at the top of the apprentice premiership table with 11 wins (but sits in third place on a countback for seconds) - was also thankful for the 'lucky' spilt in the straight.

"He drew (barrier) seven so I just jumped him and tried to sit behind the speed, but it was too strong for him," said the in-form apprentice jockey.

"I found cover, he travelled nice and I just waited and tried to angle out but luckily, I got enough space (on the) inside and he gave me a strong burst to the line."

The win on Sunday made it the sixth for the year for King Arthur – and claims to the most improved horse in the 2022 season in Singapore – and connections suggested the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) to be held on August 14 is definitely on the cards.

"That's the plan, Scotty!" was Logan's succinct response when quizzed by presenter Scott Bailey post-race.

The winning time was 1 min 8.5secs over 1200m on the Long Course and King Arthur's eighth win from 19 starts has taken his prizemoney to just over $330,000.

Duric bags four though the big one just got away

Jockey Vlad Duric – although narrowly being beaten by a head on Relentless  in what was an exciting Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) - showed why he has claims to be the best jockey in Singapore with another four winners to add to his growing 2022 tally.

Golden Dash  ($8) opened his account in the $30,000 Hard Too Think 2021 Stakes, a Class 5 race (1200m) in the opener, before Russian Twist  ($13) added his second in the $30,000 Infantry 2017 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 1 race (1400m) four races later.

Then, Tangible ($15) duly saluted for the four-time Singapore champion hoop in the $70,000 Spalato 2014 Stakes, a Class 3 race (1600m) before the 2018 Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy winner in Preditor ($48) returned to winning ways in the $50,000 Chase Me 2012 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 1 race (1400m).

The Singapore Permanent Resident – who only returned to riding at Kranji on June 22 – has now nine winners from 23 rides and given he is licensed till the end of this season, a top three – or even higher – finish in the jockeys' premiership is not out of the question.

The Singapore Derby would have been the icing on the cake, but Duric knows that both the horse and jockey have plenty more to offer in the Group races later in the year.

Moor to come

Jockey Daniel Moor may not have had much success on the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Hero in both the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (June 26) and the Singapore Derby, where he finished eighth in both races, but the hit-and-run hoop did manage to boot home a winner on both days.

Fighting Hero  ($36) got the job done in the $20,000 Sun Marshal 2019 Stakes, an Open Maiden race (1200m) for trainer Jason Ong to go with his win on Fast And Fearless for James Peters at the Stewards' Cup meeting.

Not to be outdone by a fellow visiting Australian, jockey Blake Shinn started his Singapore stint with a win at his first ride  – I Am Sacred (see previous report).

Other notables on Singapore Derby day

Trainer Mahadi Taib may have sneaked under a few radars in his maiden season. The newly-licensed handler has been in and around the game for a long time and has shown early in his solo career that he knows a bit about the caper.

Sure, he has only saddled 10 runners since debuting with Qaraat on June 26, but Awesome Conqueror was his third winner when landing some good bets ($9) in the Top Knight 2020 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 2 race over 1400m.

It may be early days, but 30% is a very good strike rate and it may pay to watch Mahadi more closely in the future.

Trainer Michael Clements was the only trainer to get a double on Singapore Derby day with Tangible  and Global Kid  ($41), who young apprentice jockey Ibrahim Mamat steered to victory in the $50,000 Well Done 2016 Stakes, a Class 4 race (1800m).

Over to the last race in the $50,000 Clint 2011 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 1 race (1200m), jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong claimed his first win atop Wealth Elite ($30) since the two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey was upgraded to a senior rider this July.