Fairway's Turf Online

Nepean aiming for Derby after easy win

SINGAPORE: Apr 24, 2018

NEPEAN (Matthew Kellady) coasting to an easy win - SNTC photo

After a disastrous start to his campaign in Singapore, NEPEAN is picking up momentum in a big way.

A win over 1400m in Class 4 last month was followed up by an easy victory in the Class 3 - 1600m handicap at Kranji here tonight, the second evening meeting held on a Tuesday night since the first last January.

Ridden by Matthew Kellady, the Australian gelding made all the running to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

"This horse was stepping up in class (from Class 4 Premier to Class 3), but he showed good form in Sydney, and I was quite confident he could measure up. He is on his way towards the Derby," said trainer Shane Baertschiger.

NEPEAN did not race at two but started five times at three in Australia for a win at Randwick and a third at Canterbury in Sydney.

The four-year-old finished dead last of 12 runners last January but improved quickly with a third and a second in his next two outings before landing back-to-back double.

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	SUN SEEKER	D Koh	CC Wong	1
	(5 ch.a.g Wanted - Surfari by Imperial Prince)
5	Kubera's Chief	Khoo	R Curatolo	2
3	Turquoise Son	D Hill	TH Koh	3
11	Hippo Ventura	CT Kuah	N Nurshahril	4

2	RESTRICTED MADEN (WFA) - 1200M
5	EL CHAPO	M Clements	S Shafrizal	1
	(3 b.nz.g Niagara - Italian Princess by Bertolini)
6	Grand Knight	Khoo	N Juglall	2
4	Alamak	M Clements	V Duric	3
11	Gold Strike	C Brown	B Vorster	4

3	CLASS 3 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
7	FIRST CHOICE	T Kieser	B Vorster	1
	(3 ch.a.rig Love Conquers All - Surfie Chick by Sequalo)
5	My Horse	HW Tan	N Juglall	2
8	Unconquered	S Gray	G Boss	3
3	Walking Thunder	D Meagher	A Munro	4

4	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
5	SUN PRINCEPS	D Koh	CC Wong	1
	(3 b.a.g Reward For Effort - Demandehere by Dehere)
1	Hero Star	D Meagher	N Juglall	2
8	Sacred Magic	Khoo	Zaki	3
7	Alwrich	Khoo	R Curatolo	4

5	CLASS 4 (PREMIER) - 1400M
14	SUPER DYNASTY	DL Freedman	C Grylls	1
	(3 gr.a.g Fastnet Rock - Sayuri San by Fuki Kieseki)
8	Lim's Zoom	M Walker	V Duric	2
7	Classic	T Kieser	K A'Isisuhairi	3
13	Everybody Happy	S Burridge	G Boss	4

6	KRANJI STAKES B (SW) - 1800M
6	GOLAZO	H Takaoka	O Placais	1
	(5 ch.j.g Screen Hero - Fuji Blue Heart - Chief Bearhart)
9	Marvel Hero	DL Freedman	R Iskandar	2
4	Mr Fatkid	C Brown	M Rodd	3
2	Dee Dee D'Or	M Yusof	V Duric	4

7	CLASS 3 - 1600M
4	NEPEAN	S Baertschiger	Kellady	1
	(4 b/br.a.g Roman Emperor - Cool Gal by Secret Savings)
9	Ottawa	J Peters	R Curatolo	2
1	Magic City	J Saimee	V Duric	3
5	O'What A Feeling	S Baertschiger	CC Wong	4

8	CLASS 4 - 1400M
1	LETITGO	D Meagher	A Munro	1
	(5 b.ir.g Multiplex - Skerries by Dr Fong)
8	Golden Thunder	CT Kuah	R Curatolo	2
10	Supermart	D Hill	B Vorster	3
4	Southern Glory	B Marsh	V Duric	4