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The world’s best sprinter, SACRED KINGDOM, heads a list of 68 entries for
the $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint, which is making a comeback
after a six-year absence, on May 18.
The Hong Kong superstar is already touted as the heir apparent to the
legendary Silent Witness, especially following his awesome display in last
year’s Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint. Another Hong Kong crack sprinter, ABSOLUTE
CHAMPION, the Sprint victor in 2006, has also been signed up for the
KrisFlyer.
But the duo from the former British colony could be in for some serious
competition.
One of the marquee names that popped up from the KrisFlyer nomination box is
Australia’s fairytale horse and international globetrotter TAKEOVER TARGET
(Group 1 Lightning Stakes, Group 2 King’s Stand). From the day former taxi
driver Joe Janiak parted with A$1,250 for the castoff by Celtic Swing, it’s
been a whirlwind of feature wins Down Under all the way to Royal Ascot and
Japan.
Australia, a country never short of speedballs, has also nominated top
sprinters like APACHE CAT (Group 1 Lightning Stakes, Australia Stakes) and
MAGNUS (Group 1 Galaxy Handicap).
SAKHEE’S SECRET (Group 1 July Cup) and BENBAUN (Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye)
are some of the high profile sprinters among England’s impressive list of 19
nominations. They are right up there among the best horses going around the
international circuit.
Japan has nominated seven runners, including DANON MURO who is trained by
SHADOW GATE’S handler, Yukihiro Kato, and one of its top sprinters, I’LL
LOVE AGAIN, who ran third in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes last September.
French trainer Pascal Bary will try to do his country proud, just like at
the KrisFlyer’s inaugural edition taken out by Criquette Head’s IRON MASK in
2001. He is France’s only trainer to nominate for the Sprint race with two
entries, SARISSA and OBJETO DE ARTE.
United Arab Emirates has six horses in the running, including MARBUSH, an
authoritative winner of the Group 3 Burj Nahaar in February, while the USA
is calling upon four of its best sprinters, namely TALENT SEARCH and UNUSUAL
SUSPECT to try and waylay the KrisFlyer.
With home advantage on his side, Singapore superstar WHY BE spearheads the
challenge of the local hopes. The 21-time winner bounced back to the
winner’s box in the Group 3 Merlion Trophy on February 24 after a below-par
run in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint.
CAPABLANCA, one of Kranji’s most exciting sprinters and among the rare few
to have beaten WHY BE domestically, has also been entered for the KrisFlyer.
CAPABLANCA is right back on track after resuming from a four-month spell
with a resounding victory on March 7.
The next round of nominations closes on April 2.  |
