Fairway's Turf Online

Hard Too Think bags Singapore Derby

SINGAPORE: Jul 25, 2021

Just two months ago, HARD TOO THINK was racing (and winning) in Class 4 - his second success in that class after breaking through in Restricted Maiden last year.

Promoted to Class 3, the son of All Too Hard found one to beat last month before facing his group test in the Singapore Derby at Kranji here today.

HARD TOO THINK started at generous odds in today's contest, being up against the Stewards' Cup (1600m) winner MR MALEK and runner-up BIG HEARTED and five others in the smallest Derby field in years.

HARD TOO THINK bypassed the Cup three weeks ago and found today's 1800m trip right up his ally. Settling just behind the pace in a bunched-up field, the Australian gelding hit the front at the 250m, the held off the Gold Cup winner BIG HEARTED to win by one length.

HARD TOO THINK has now picked up four wins and three placings in 11 starts.

It was the second win in the Derby for trainer Stephen Gray who first tasted success back in 2007 with LIM'S PRESTIGE.

For jockey Marc Lerner, it was his second Group 1 win in Singapore, after piloting MAKANANI to win the Raffles Cup in 2019.

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

1	TOP KNIGHT 2020 STAKES
1	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
10	TIGAROUS	J O'Hara	J van der Merwe	1
	(4 b.ir.g Dragon Pulse - Redstaroverchina by Starspangledbanner)
2	Street Party	J Peters	K Hakim	2
1	Circuit Star	J Peters	L Beuzelin	3
6	Zoffspeed	R Le Grange	CC Wong	4

2	SUN MARSHAL 2019 STAKES
2	RESTRICTED MAIDEN (WFA) - 1600M
10	KHAO MANEE	J Tan	CC Wong	1
	(3 br.nz.g Remind - Criquette by Forensic Evidence)
7	Great Exptectation	S Gray	V Duric	2
2	Con Speranza	H Takaoka	M Lerner	3
6	Ace Sovereign	T Fitzsimmons	K Hakim	4

3	JUPITER GOLD 2018 STAKES
3	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
9	BASILISK	L Khoo	T Krisna	1
	(6 b.nz.g Battle Paint - Dangerous Seas by Dangerous)
6	Snip	D Meagher	D Beasley	2
8	Arion Passion	KY Young	J See	3
1	Crystal Warrior	J Lim	K Hakim	4

4	INFANTRY 2017 STAKES
4	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
8	EIGHT BALL	S Baertschiger	M Kellady	1
	(3 blk.a.g Stryker - Barabba Star by Youthful Legs)
13	Big Tiger	J Tan	CC Wong	2
5	Silver Sword	J Tan	R Shafiq	3
6	Zestful	KY Young	M Zaki	4

5	WELL DONE 2016 STAKES
5	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
9	WINNING HOBBY	CT Kuah	T Krisna	1
	(5 b.am.g Congrats - Pearl Queen by Street Sense)
5	Speedy Missile	M Walker	K A'Isisuhairi	2
3	Tom Cat	M Clements	L Beuzelin	3
10	Charming Diamond	S Baertschiger	M Zaki	4

6	QUECHUA 2015 STAKES
6	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
6	HIDDEN PROMISE	M Walker	R Shafiq	1
	(8 b.nz.g Postponed - Promissory by Zabeel)
11	Gingerman	CT Kuah	T Krisna	2
1	Blitz Power	J Ong	TH Koh	3
5	Lim's Rhythm	D Kok	S John	4

7	SPALATO 2014 STAKES
7	KRANJI STAKES B (SW) - 1800M
6	ELITE INCREDIBLE	M Clements	K Hakim	1
	(5 br.arg.g Valid Stripes - My Chance by American Chance)
9	Wind Trail	H Takaoka	M Lerner	2
8	Tangible	M Clements	K A'Isisuhairi	3
4	So Hi Class	M Clements	L Beuzelin	4

8	BETTER LIFE 2012 STAKES
8	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
1	ARARAT LADY	T Fitzsimmons	K Hakim	1
	(5 b.nz.m Battle Paint - Desire by Danehill Dancer)
4	Al Green	S Gray	R Iskandar	2
7	Super Smart	KY Young	S John	3
9	First Chief	J Lim	PH Seow	4

9	CHASE ME 2012 STAKES
9	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
8	HADEER	M Walker	PH Seow	1
	(5 br.a.g Savabeel - A Real Princess by O'Reilly)
9	Sacred Judgement	M Walker	K A'Isisuhairi	2
4	Wealth Elite	S Burridge	WH Kok	3
5	Charger	L Khoo	CC Wong	4

10	SINGAPORE DERBY
10	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (4YO, SW) - 1800M
8	HARD TOO THINK	S Gray	M Lerner	1
	(4 b.a.g All Too Hard - Mnemonic by Hussoset)
3	Big Hearted	M Clements	V Duric	2
5	Savvy Command	M Walker	R Shafiq	3
1	Mr Malek	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	4

11	CLINT 2011 STAKES
11	CLASS 4 - 1800M
14	GOLD REWARD	R Le Grange	J van der Merwe	1
	(7 b.am.g Warrior's Reward - Contrition by Pulpit)
12	Atlas	S Baertschiger	M Kellady	2
3	Luck Of Master	D Koh	K Hakim	3
5	Buddy Buddy	M Walker	R Shafiq	4