Shock start to new Singapore season

SINGAPORE,  1 Jan 2009
 
WINNIEDUN easily holds on for his maiden win in the opening
event - SNTC photo

The 2009 racing season in Singapore began on a shock note when WINNIEDUN (Desert Fox - Iradah by Bletchingly) took the opening event at Kranji here today.

Racing under a new name for the first time, WINNIEDUN (formerly May Nine) enjoyed an instant change of fortune, showing up for the first time in 10 starts to win by half-a-length in the Maiden - 1700m handicap to pay $223 for a win.

Newly-crowned 2008 champion jockey Saimee Jumaat, back in action after a suspension, has begun the new season on a winning note, booting home MY FACE (Grass Wonder - Psyllium by Military Plume) in the Class 3 - 1200m sprint.

Laurie Laxon, who notched up a fifth consecutive trainer's title in 2008, was also among the winners on the opening day, saddling the aptly-named EMPIRE CROWN (Danasinga - Neela by Bluebird) in the Class 4 - 1900m event.

The opening day honours went to trainer Don Baertschiger and jockey John Powell who combined to win three races.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 MAIDEN - 1700M (POLYTRACK)

10

 Winniedun H K Tan Au

1

2

 Regal Knight L Treloar Aslam

2

3

 Joyluck B Marsh N Callow

3

1

 Majestic Knight L Treloar T Affandi

4

2

 INITIATION - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

6

 Shanghai Kid Baertschiger J Powell

1

4

 Jack Of Diamonds M Freedman M Cahill

2

1

 Aussie One B Marsh N Callow

3

12

 Trigger Synergy S Burridge P Knuckey

4

3

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

6

 Lucky City D Hill T R Barnabas

1

9

 Harundsan L Laxon Din Azis

2

1

 Silent Force Baertschiger S H Low

3

11

 Recycle Triumph S Gray Sivan

4

4

 CLASS 5 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

7

 Majestic Glory C Leck A Ng

1

1

 Big Moment L Laxon N Callow

2

5

 Prior King H Takaoka Saifudin

3

8

 Word Of Honour D Koh JL Li

4

5

 CLASS 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)

9

 My Face S Gray Saimee

1

3

 Superb J Meagher D Beasley

2

5

 Anchor Ice P Shaw M Cahill

3

4

 Abdicate D Koh K K Ng

4

6

 CLASS 4 - 1900M (POLYTRACK)

1

 Empire Crown L Laxon N Callow

1

8

 How Can Stop K C Yeoh P Knuckey

2

4

 Liang Kee C Brown M Cahill

3

5

 Pacific King Prawn C Leck Saimee

4

7

 BENCHMARK 83 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)

5

 Gust J Meagher B Deasley

1

8

 Schmeichel P Shaw Din Azis

2

10

 Happiness Come S Burridge P Knuckey

3

2

 Lim's Connection S Burridge N Callow

4

8

 OPEN - 1600M (POLYTRACK)

2

 Jade H Takaoka M Cahill

1

6

 Ricoco P Shaw Din Azis

2

1

 Recast L Laxon N Callow

3

3

 Mr Line P Shaw R Fradd

4

9

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

2

 Lago Bay Baertschiger J Powell

1

5

 Waipapa L Laxon Saimee

2

10

 Kiwijazz S Gray Saifudin

3

7

 Magician L Laxon Din Azis

4

10

 GRADUATION - 1200M (POLYTRACK)

2

 Texedo Moon Baertschiger J Powell

1

7

 Soldier Of Fortune P Shaw R Fradd

2

6

 Sensible Sam L Laxon D Beasley

3

3

 Nero Grotto H Takaoka Saifudin

4