Waikato bags Kranji Mile in first 1600m test

SINGAPORE,  20 Sept 2009
 
WAIKATO shows too much class in winning the Kranji Mile - SNTC photo

WAIKATO passed his first test over 1600m with flying colours when he captured the S$500,000 Panasonic Kranji Mile at Kranji here today.

Until four starts ago, WAIKATO had raced almost exclusively over 1200m, the only exception being the Jumbo Jet Trophy over 1400m last year which he promptly won.

In the run-up to today's race, he had another three starts over 1400m, winning the Jumbo Jet Trophy for the second year running and was placed in the other two occasions.

Ridden by John Powell today, WAIKATO (Pins - Skywalker Wilkes by Skywalker) chased down the front-running CHEYENNE DANCER (Indian Danehill - Daylight Hour by Brief Truce), then held off the challenge of Singapore Derby runner-up BIG MAVERICK (O'Reilly - Ajfan by Woodman) to win by three quarters of a length.

Winning trainer Laurie Laxon said: "Even though it was his first start at the mile I knew he had the miles in his legs." Certainly it was a classy performance by WAIKATO who covered the distance in 1:33.8, just 0.2 sec. outside the course record.

It was the 14th win in 29 starts for WAIKATO who brought his career earnings to just over S$1.41m.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 Panasonic IPRO Network Cameras Stakes
  CLASS 5 - 1200M      

9

 Palmston S Chua J Moreira

1

7

 Incredible Hulk S Nigishi V Duric

2

2

 Sunduvan H K Tan Au

3

8

 Jumbo Strike S Burridge D Beasley

4

2

 Panasonic Professional Plasma Stakes
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M  

3

 Eternal Wealth K C Yeoh Soo

1

4

 Big Bolt L Laxon B Vorster

2

8

 Lira D Kok J Moreira

3

12

 Sweet Dream B Dean Aslam

4

3

 Panasonic Elite Panaboard Stakes
  CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M      

13

 Queen Narvissus D Kok A Ng

1

14

 Big Moment L Laxon J Moreira

2

1

 Oil Baron J Meagher D Beasley

3

12

 Our Brightia H Takaoka R Stewart

4

4

 Panasonic DECT Phone Stakes
  INITIATION - 1600M      

3

 Kyoto S Gray V Duric

1

9

 Double Dose B Dean R Stewart

2

6

 Je Peux S Burridge J Moreira

3

4

 Mr Merciful Baertschiger J Powell

4

5

 Panasonic Multi-Function Printer Stakes
  CLASS 4 - 1600M      

12

 Undaunted M Clements B Vorster

1

8

 Ace Amadeus L Laxon J Powell

2

6

 Day Of Empire M Freedman D Beasley

3

4

 Daad's The Way S Gray J Moreira

4

6

 Panasonic Systems Professional Stakes
  BENCHMARK 83 - 1400M      

5

 Gust J Meagher Soo

1

7

 Soloist B Marsh B Vorster

2

2

 My Hero B Dean D Beasley

3

1

 Given Vision S Gray J Moreira

4

7

 Panasonic Broadcast Stakes
  NOVICE - 1400M      

7

 Abdicate S Burridge Woodworth

1

9

 Prince Pareto J Meagher R Stewart

2

10

 Doremi La M Yusof M Gallagher

3

8

 Dontellthewife M Clements B Vorster

4

8

 Panasonic L.E.D. Stakes
  CLASS 3 - 1600M      

7

 Scorsese K C Yeoh B Vorster

1

1

 El Sordo M Freedman T R Barnabas

2

4

 Intercept L Laxon Saimee

3

2

 Cigar Royale D Koh D Beasley

4

9

 PANASONIC KRANJI MILE - 1600M

2

 Waikato L Laxon J Powell

1

4

 Big Maverick L Laxon Saimee

2

1

 Cheyenne Dancer M Freedman R McMahon

3

3

 Any Homour M Freedman V Duric

4

10

 Panasonic Toughbook Stakes
  KRANJI STAKES C - 1200M  

9

 Celine Star C Brown J Powell

1

7

 Choisism M Freedman D Beasley

2

2

 Perfect Sky D Koh K K Ng

3

3

 Happy Everybody S Burridge T R Barnabas

4

11

 Panasonic IP Telephony Stakes
  CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M      

1

 Race Ahead B Marsh A Feiruz

1

14

 Sir Rumble Baertschiger B Vorster

2

4

 Super Lucky Colour B Dean Saimee

3

10

 Vitalico J Meagher M Gallagher

4