Fairway's Turf Online

Spanish Bay upsets Affleck in 3YO Classic

SINGAPORE: Apr 17, 2015

SPANISH BAY (inside) holds off the challenge of AFFLECK to
win the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic - SNTC photo

While he went down to a much fitter KIWI KARMA in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge (1200m) a fortnight ago, punters were in disbelief when AFFLECK failed again in the second leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old series at Kranji here tonight.

This time, the $7 favourite failed to nail down outsider SPANISH BAY in the S$350,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m).

In the absence of KIWI KARMA, AFFLECK, the top juvenile last year, was expected to stroll to victory in the Classic. But SPANISH BAY, ridden by Saifudin Ismail, led from the start and fought on gamely to beat AFFLECK by a neck to pay $71 for a win.

The Australian gelding has finished fourth in the Challenge, coming home strongly. Over the longer trip today, SPANISH BAY was quickly in the lead and refused to surrender it.

"They left him alone in front and Saifudin rode him a treat," said trainer Michael Freedman. "I don’t know if he will get the mile, but the natural progression would be to go for the Guineas. If he doesn't, then we can always scale him back."

For Saifudin, its his biggest win since taking the Raffles Cup with LIM'S CLASSIC in 2006.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

	WAR AFFAIR 2014 STAKES
1	CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	KINGSLEY	L Laxon	M Rodd	1
	(5 b.nz.rig Darci Brahma - Miss Moneytree by Pins)
5	Scout Done	Khoo	N Juglall	2
1	Bankers Call	S Gray	Y Ruzaili	3
9	South Gate	Khoo	WS Chan	4

	STEPITUP 2013 STAKES
2	RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1600M
1	ECLIPSE DANCER	S Burridge	A Munro	1
	(3 br.nz.g Doc De Cambes - Snuff by Deputy Governor)
13	Remember Me	L Laxon	M Rodd	2
11	Molly Browne	M Walker	R Shafiq	3
3	Above The Skyline	D Koh	T Rehaizat	4

	INGLIS MELBOURNE JUVENILE STAKES
3	2YO OPEN - 1200M
8	GENIUS	Khoo	B Vorster	1
	(2 b.a.g Onemorenomore - Gooniwiggal by Rock Of Gibraltar)
3	Big Man	S Baertschiger	J Powell	2
5	Cerdan	L Laxon	M Rodd	3
9	Lee Man	Khoo	N Juglall	4

	SUPER EASY 2012 STAKES
4	CLASS 4 - 1200M
5	PINT SIZED PRINCE	L Dragon	N Juglall	1
	(6 b.a.g Outback Prince - Moongambler by Victory Note)
8	Queen's Seven	H Takaoka	R Shafiq	2
3	Q Nine Magic	M Walker	M Nunes	3
7	Just Name It	C Brown	C Newitt	4

	GINGERBREAD MAN 2011 STAKES
5	INITIATION - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
6	MILLION ROUND	ZL Mok	HK Cheng	1
	(3 b.nz.g Edenwold - Sparks Will Fly by Almutawakel)
1	Lincoln's Excuse	S Baertschiger	J Powell	2
5	Man Of Power	Khoo	CW Brown	3
9	Princess Zola	S Baertschiger	Kellady	4

	BETTER THAN EVER 2010 STAKES
6	OPEN HANDICAP - 1700M (POLYTRACK)
6	IN FACT	P Shaw	B Vorster	1
	(5 ch.arg.g Lode - Slew Of Reality by Political Ambition)
1	One Rar	S Baertschiger	Z Zuriman	2
5	Fujin Bright	H Takaoka	A Munro	3
8	Verglatica	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	4

	SINGAPORE THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASSIC
7	SINGAPORE GROUP 2 - 1400M
5	SPANISH BAY	M Freedman	Saifudin	1
	(3 b.a.g Nadeem - Belle Jest by Rory's Jester)
1	Affleck	L Laxon	M Rodd	2
4	Majestic Moments	P Shaw	N Juglall	3
7	Time Odyssey	P Shaw	B Vorster	4

	GIVEN VISION 2009 STAKES
8	KRANJI STAKES D - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
4	COLLECT THE CASH	D Kok	M Nunes	1
	(8 b.nz.g Keeper - First Payment by Posen)
1	Military Alliance	M Freedman	C Newitt	2
2	Blossoms Sequel	L Laxon	M Rodd	3
6	Rough Dance	S Baertschiger	J Powell	4

	BIG MAVERICK 2008 STAKES
9	OPEN STAKES (CW) - 1400M
1	BORN TO FLY	S Gray	J Powell	1
	(7 b.a.g Mossman - Conclude by Danzero)
7	Gold Rutile	H Takaoka	A Munro	2
2	El Milagro	S Baertschiger	Kellady	3
6	Gold Run	C Brown	M Nunes	4

	ROYAL STAR 2007 STAKES
10	BENCHMARK 67 - 1600M
3	POWERNOVA	B Marsh	M Rodd	1
	(4 b.nz.g Elusive City - Star Lit by Golan)
4	Rusty Brown	M Freedman	C Newitt	2
5	Smart Lad	M Yusof	A Munro	3
1	Sebrose	M Walker	M Nunes	4