Arenti wins Lion City Cup in thrilling finish

SINGAPORE,  13 May 2006

Trainer John Meagher’s decision to fly in Steven King to ride in the S$500,000 Lion City Cup hit pay dirt when his former apprentice in Australia partnered ARENTI to victory in the Singapore Group 1 event today.

In what was one of the most exciting finishes to the 1200m sprint, ARENTI just held on to defeat ALWAYS FAST and LIM’S PASSION in a blanket finish.

WHY BE was expected to win after being unbeaten in his last seven appearances and has won nine of 11 career starts. But the favourite could managed only fifth after being given every chance, although he finished just over a length from the winner.

ARENTI (4 b.nz.g O’Reilly - Gio by Centaine) ranged alongside LIM’S PASSION and HULK at the 200m, with CONNERY also making his bid on the outside. ARENTI and LIM’S PASSION were neck-and-neck in the closing stages when ALWAYS FAST (5 b.a.g Scenic - Speech Of Praise by Cheraw) ’flew’ on their inside.

ALWAYS FAST, winner of the E W Barker Trophy (1400m) in February, was distinctly unlucky as he had to weave through horses for his run. LIM’S PASSION (5 gr.a.g Perugino - Sibelienne by Nishapour) was also third to WHY BE in the MRA Cup in March.

ARENTI’s dam, a winner over 1150m, is a full sister to STARMAN II, winner of seven races in the MRA circuit including the Selangor Gold Cup.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 ROYAL BANGKOK SPORTS CLUB TROPHY
  CLASS 5 - 1600M      

2

 Imperial Treasure Baertschiger J Powell

1

5

 Fixed Asset P Busuttin N Callow

2

4

 New Leader P Shaw Du Plessis

3

8

 Given Chance B Dean M Pay

4

2

 EMIRATES RACING AUTHORITY TROPHY
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M  

5

 Brave Heart P Shaw Du Plessis

1

11

 Zheng He L Laxon M Pay

2

10

 Tulsa P Busuttin L Innes

3

7

 Mr Acronym S Gray R Stewart

4

3

 KOREA RACING ASSOCIATION TROPHY
  CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M  

10

 Winning Expert M Clements T Ong

1

5

 Spec Prince J Meagher S King

2

2

 Lim's Hunter J Meagher Soo

3

9

 Iron Eyes Cody L Laxon K Sara

4

4

 PERAK TURF CLUB TROPHY
  BENCHMARK 82 - 1400M  

3

 Rejuvenation P Shaw Du Plessis

1

9

 My Royal Captain L Laxon Saimee

2

6

 Best Weapon B Dean S King

3

1

 Fairy Tale M Clements B Vorster

4

5

 MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB TROPHY
  NOVICE - 1200M      

1

 Huddy L Laxon Saimee

1

7

 Lim's Hero J Meagher Soo

2

6

 Wind Chaser S Gray R Stewart

3

3

 Celestial Music H Takaoka J Powell

4

6

 AUCKLAND RACING CLUB TROPHY
  CLASS 4 - 2000M      

3

 Equator D Koh T Ong

1

12

 Star Spur H Takaoka S John

2

9

 Totoral P Shaw B Vorster

3

6

 Bugsy Baertschiger Kellady

4

7

 ROYAL TURF CLUB OF THAILAND TROPHY
  CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M      

11

 Barbados H K Tan K K Loh

1

2

 Silent Account B Dean M Pay

2

9

 King's Strike J Meagher A Fiezan

3

10

 Talent L Laxon Sam

4

8

 JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION TROPHY
  CLASS 3 - 1200M      

10

 Our Webster J Meagher Soo

1

2

 Robbins L Laxon A Spiteri

2

3

 Keegan S Gray N Callow

3

4

 King And Infinite S Burridge R Lim

4

9

 LION CITY CUP (Singapore Group 1) - 1200M

8

 Arenti J Meagher S King

1

5

 Always Fast Baertschiger J Powell

2

6

 Lim's Passion J Meagher A Spiteri

3

4

 Connery L Laxon B Vorster

4

10

 CLASS 5 - 1200M

8

 Optimum Note H Takaoka Du Plessis

1

10

 Diamond N Ace C Leck Saimee

2

1

 Classicardo M Clements B Vorster

3

4

 Moon City M Yusof R Stewart

4