Fairway's Turf Online

Prosperous Return gets the prize in Cup

SINGAPORE: Oct 15, 2022

PROSPEROUS RETURN (No. 8) leads the way home in the Queen
Elizabeth II Cup - SNTC photo

PROSPEROUS RETURN overcame a slow start to capture the S$300,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m at Kranji here today.

It was not the only thing he has to overcome this year. In his season-opener win last February — after the Australian gelding had finished fifth to HARD TOO THINK in the same race last year — he was found to have bled on his return to scale.

But that did not stop him from winning again in his next start after a let-up. Two more encouraging runs have followed but PROSPEROUS RETURN saved his best for today.

After missing the jump, Jake Bayliss settled him well off the pace and waited till making the turn into the straight before making his love on the five-year-old.

PROSPEROUS RETURN was widest of the field making the turn but by the 400m, he was within striking distance. He headed the pacemaker HONGKONG GREAT at the 200m and went on to score by a neck from SACRED CROIX who "flying" in the closing stages.

"We know the horse had the ability to win a race like this but he overcame a few things to do it today," said trainer Michael Clements, who was watching the race in Australia.

"He had the bleeding attack to overcome – it wasn’t major, but a setback – and things didn’t go his way last start. And he did it the hard way today.

"Really pleased that the hard work from the stable staff gets rewarded."

For Bayliss, it was his first Group 1 win in Singapore.

"I took a punt to come here and left everything I love behind," He said.

The game plan was that they weren’t making ground today, so I thought I could use him out of the gates a little bit early and try to put him in the first four," he explained. "But we bombed the start, so I went to plan C."

"It’s paid off. He was weary late but bring on the Gold Cup!"

The Singapore Gold Cup will be run on Nov 19.

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

1	HARD TOO THINK 2021 STAKES
1	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1200M
5	THE WILD PRINCE	J Ong	TH Koh	1
	(5 b.nz.g Rio Van Winkle - Ali Spur by More Than Ready)
9	What You Like	J Ong	M Nunes	2
8	Beat The Light	S Gray	M Lerner	3
4	Tax Free	T Mahadi	T Krisna	4

2	TOP KNIGHT 2020 STAKES
2	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M
1	LIM'S CRAFT	S Burridge	M Nunes	1
	(7 br.a.g Smart Missile - Dukemore by Encosta De Lago)
7	Malibu Beach	R Le Grange	T Krisna	2
4	Flashfast	D Logan	J Bayliss	3
3	Eagle Eye	D Logan	R Iskandar	4

3	I'M INCREDIBLE 2019 STAKES
3	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M
4	CHOSEN ONE	R Lim	L Beuzelin	1
	(4 ch.a.g Love Conquers All - Jillilikes by Falvelon)
7	Super Talent	R Lim	TH Koh	2
6	Sunday	D Logan	S Shafrizal	3
12	My Boss	KY Young	R Iskandar	4

4	DEBT COLLECTOR 2018 STAKES
4	CLASS 4 - 1800M
5	MELODY FAIR	L Khoo	R Iskandar	1
	(5 b.nz.g Duelled - Back On Song by Postponed)
1	Con Speranza	H Takaoka	M Nunes	2
6	Centurion	KS Tan	S Shafrizal	3
9	Laksana	S Gray	CC Wong	4

5	QUECHUA 2017 STAKES
5	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1200M
2	QARAAT	T Mahadi	N Zyrul	1
	(9 b.a.g Mossman - Lillabiddy by Nediym)
4	Silent Prince	S Gray	WH Kok	2
7	Burgundy Lad	D Koh	R Iskandar	3
1	Grand Fighter	L Khoo	PH Seow	4

6	LAUGHING GRAVY 216 STAKES
6	NOVICE (SW) - 1200M
8	EJAZ	M Clements	M Nunes	1
	(3 ch.a.g Street Boss - Riverina Red by Testa Rossa)
4	Deception	D Logan	WH Kok	2
1	Montana Flash	D Logan	J Bayliss	3
7	Prioritize	S Gray	K A'Isisuhairi	4

7	STEPITUP 2015 STAKES
7	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M
5	JUST BECAUSE	S Baertschiger	M Kellady	1
	(4 b.nz.g Swiss Ace - Just Nini by Pins)
1	Fireworks	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	2
10	Runminderbinderrun	S Gray	J Bayliss	3
9	Legacy Reign	L Khoo	S Shafrizal	4

8	WILD GEESE 2014 STAKES
8	CLASS 3 - 1800M
2	MR BLACK BACK	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	1
	(5 b.a.g Snitzel - Faint Perfume by Shamardal)
1	Super Impact	D Logan	J Bayliss	2
5	Hardcore	S Baertschiger	M Kellady	3
3	Luck Of Master	D Koh	K A'Isisuhairi	4

9	BETTER LIFE 2013 STAKES
9	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M
1	IRONCHAMP	S Burridge	V Duric	1
	(6 ch.a.g Glass Harmonium - Not That Innocent by Foxhound)
2	Trident	D Logan	R Iskandar	2
6	Free And Happy	J Ong	CC Wong	3
7	Implement	D Logan	PH Seow	4

10	QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
10	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (WFA) - 1800M
8	PROSPEROUS RETURN	M Clements	J Bayliss	1
	(5 blk/gr.a.g Fighting Sun - Rose Syrah by Testa Rossa)
3	Sacred Croix	J Tan	CC Wong	2
9	Minister	D Logan	M Kellady	3
13	Circuit Mission	J Peters	R Woodworth	4

11	WAIKATO 2012 STAKES
11	CLASS 4 - 1200M
10	CHAMPAGNE FINALE	D Logan	S Jamil	1
	(7 b.a.g All Too Hard - Grande Annee by Gone West)
2	Mini Force X	S Baertschiger	M Nunes	2
5	Dr Kardo	J Peters	L Beuzelin	3
7	Galaxy Star	S Baertschiger	K A'Isisuhairi	4