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Since the S$3m Singapore
Airlines International Cup (SAIC) was first run in 2000, no horse has won
the international Group1 event twice.
But three past winners of the Singapore showpiece event, COSMO BULK (2006),
SHADOW GATE (2007) and JAY PEG (2008), are aiming to achieve that historic
first. All three have been entered the 2009 edition which will be run on May
17 when first nominations
closed recently.
However, the biggest names among the 95 foreign entries are perhaps the
Japanese pair of DELTA BLUES and POP ROCK, who finished 1-2 in the the
Melbourne Cup two years ago.
Japan looks set to have a strong hand in the 2000m event with multiple-group
winner MATSURIDA GOGH and the Shadai Farm-owned TASCATA SORTE among their 15
entries.
Brown, who won last year’s event with JAY PEG, has also nominated TRAFFIC
GUARD, who ran 10th in last year’s SAIC when prepared by Jane Chapple-Hyam
before running a cracking second to NEW APPROACH in the Group 1 Irish
Champion Stakes (2000m).
After his Singapore triumph, JAY PEG only resumed at this year’s Dubai
International Racing Carnival, running twice for one encouraging second to
BALIUS in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta-Daaher (1777m), a key trial to the Group 1
Dubai Duty Free (1777m), a race JAY PEG won last year.
BALIUS (third last year when handled by French trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias),
as well as the other Jebel Hatta-Daaher placegetters, namely RUSSIAN SAGE
and IMBONGI who are both trained by Mike de Kock, have also been nominated
for the SAIC, under the United Arab Emirates banner.
With 16 nominations, the Middle-East nation tops the overseas list jointly
with Australia, which has always been a keen supporter of the SAIC.
Leading the Australian charge are TUESDAY JOY and NICONERO, who recently
captured the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600m at Randwick and the
Group 1 Australian Cup over 2000m at Flemington respectively.
Placegetters from the Australian Cup THESEO and ZAGREB are also among the
nominations.
Other notable entries include international multiple-Group winner PRESSING
(Great Britain), QUIJANO (Germany) who is still racing with great heart,
having run second first-up in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold (2400m), the
Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial Stakes (1800m) winner UNIQUE JEWELLERY
(Hong Kong), and recent Auckland Cup (3200m) winner SPIN AROUND (New
Zealand), who ran unplaced in last year’s SAIC.
Spearheading the 22 Singapore entries are 2008 Singapore Horse of the Year
TOP SPIN and last year’s SAIC runner-up RECAST. Other top-drawer names that
will vie for a place in the Cup include emerging middle-distance performers
like ONCEUPONATIME and THE HORNET, and seasoned stayers like Singapore Gold
Cup (2200m) winner EL DORADO and Raffles Cup (1800m) winner CHEVRON.  |
