Fairway's Turf Online

Elite Excalibur slays rivals in Committee's Prize

SINGAPORE: Mar 18, 2018

ELITE EXCALIBUR charges home to win the Committee's Prize - SNTC photo

Placed three times in Group 1 last year, ELITE EXCALIBUR resumed after a four-month let-up and promptly snatched victory in the $200,000 Committee's Prize at Kranji here today.

The Group 3 1600m handicap attracted the cream of Singapore's middle distance horses, spearheaded by INFANTRY, winner of the Derby last year.

ELITE EXCALIBUR, second to GILT COMPLEX in the Raffles Cup and third to the same horse in the Gold Cup last term, settled well back in the capacity 16-horse field early.

INFANTRY hit the front momentarily at the 300m but failed to run on and it was ELITE EXCALIBUR and ELITE INVINCIBLE who went on to fight it out, with ELITE EXCALIBUR winning by a neck.

"it was great to see Elite Excalibur win a first feature race because he fully deserved it," said trainer Cliff Brown. "My staff has done a great job with him. Three to four weeks ago, I wasn’t happy with him, but I changed a few things around, added winkers on him."

"It’s a great performance from him to win a big race over the mile first-up. I always thought he could do it as he goes really well fresh," said jockey Michael Rodd.

ELITE EXCALIBUR did not race at two but started eight times for three wins (including one each at Randwick and Rosehill) before coming to Singapore where he has now races 14 times for three wins.

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	SAINT LINCOLN	S Baertschiger	J Powell	1
	(4 b.nz.g No Excuse Needed - Wailea Miss by O'Reilly)
5	Sun Seeker	D Koh	CC Wong	2
3	Yellow Jade Horse	D Meagher	N Juglall	3
9	Gold Customer	KS Tan	S Shafrizal	4

2	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
3	SILVER WIN FORTUNE	D Meagher	I Amirul	1
	(5 ch.e.g Sakhee's Secret - Kameruka by Auction House)
8	Sorbeta	DL Freedman	J Powell	2
5	Pacific Pearl	J Peters	K A'Isisuhairi	3
6	Conservation	J Peters	V Duric	4

3	CLASS 4 - 1200M
3	MISTER YEOH	C Brown	M Rodd	1
	(3 b.a.g Wanted - Wai Lin by Scenic)
10	Golden Thunder	CT Kuah	R Curatolo	2
8	Secret Sqirrel	O'Hara	C Grylls	3
6	Country Boss	KS Tan	CC Wong	4

4	RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
1	SATTAR	M Clements	V Duric	1
	(3 b.a.g Star Witness - Queen For Ninedays by O'Reilly)
2	Kiss Your Song	S Baertschiger	J Powell	2
4	Amanzoe	M Walker	C Grylls	3
3	Glamorous	D Kok	Woodworth	4

5	KRANJI STAKES C - 1600M
7	LIM'S REGARD	M Walker	V Duric	1
	(4 ch.nz.g Red Giant - Celtic Class by Spectrum)
5	Chocolats	S Baertschiger	J Powell	2
2	Mr Scorsese	DL Freedman	S Noh	3
12	Neo's Classic	D Kok	Woodworth	4

6	MAIDEN - 1600M
3	ONE FORCE	R Le Grange	B Vorster	1
	(3 b.a.g Commands - Fleet Riane by Barely A Moment)
1	Lucky Tiger	DL Freedman	M Rodd	2
2	Sonny Bill	M Walker	C Grylls	3
8	Always There	Khoo	TH Koh	4

7	CLASS 4 (PREMIER) - 1200M
8	TRIGAMY	J Saimee	G Boss	1
	(4 b.a.g Wanted - Marriage Value by Marju)
9	Everybody Happy	S Burridge	WH Kok	2
5	Imperial Falls	C Brown	M Rodd	3
4	The Odds	J Peters	R Curatolo	4

8	COMMITTEE'S PRIZE
8	SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1600M
3	ELITE EXCALIBUR	C Brown	M Rodd	1
	(5 b.a.g Fastnet Rock - Romantic River by Irish River)
16	Elite Invincible	M Walker	Woodworth	2
4	Well Done	D Kok	V Duric	3
1	Infantry	HW Tan	G Boss	4

9	CLASS 2 -1200M
2	RAISE NO DOUBT	D Meagher	N Juglall	1
	(7 b.a.g Not A Single Doubt - Extremely by Hussonet)
1	Viviano	M Walker	R Zawari	2
11	Anonymous	J Saimee	CC Wong	3
6	Flak Jacket	S Baertschiger	Kellady	4

10	CLASS 4 - 1400M
8	MASURAO	H Takaoka	CC Wong	1
	(6 b.nz.g Mastercraftsman - Black Bijou by Black Minnaloushe)
3	Lim's Bullet	D Meagher	N Juglall	2
1	O'Reilly Bay	B Marsh	C Grylls	3
7	Optimum Star	H Takaoka	O Placais	4