First group win for Speedy Cat and trainer

SINGAPORE:  Mar 15, 2013
 
SPEEDY CAT masters EMERALD HILL (hidden inside) to claim
the Merlion Trophy - SNTC Photo

Fresh from capturing his first group win in Singapore in the Polytrack Mile Championship on NANDOWRA last week, Manoel Nunes made it memorable eight days when successful on SPEEDY CAT in the Group 3 S$200,000 Merlion Trophy on the polytrack at Kranji here tonight.

For the New Zealand four-year-old, it was fifth time lucky in group races and a well deserved victory after two second finishes, a third placing and fourth-place finish in his previous attempts.

Starting favourite in the Merlion Trophy, the first leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, was 12-time SUPER EASY, who beat SPEEDY CAT in the Group 3 Singapore 3YO Sprint last year.

Second pick was the classy three-year-old HUKA FALLS who came into the race on the back of six consecutive wins. It was supposed to a match-up between the two hot favurites in the 1200m sprint but SPEEDY CAT had other ideas.

Despite six wins in 15 starts, SPEEDY CAT was overlooked in the betting and did not look like creating an upset in the early stages of the running when the gelding trailed second last.

But Munes rode patiently, tucking his mount on the inside of horses waiting for an opening which came at the top of the straight. He switched out and went after the two horses in front, EMERALD HILL and SUPER EASY. He gradually wore down EMERALD HILL close home to win by half a length. He paid $80 for a win.

For trainer Alvin Tan, it was a double celebration. "This is my first Cup success and to get my 100th win is such a great thrill."

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 BLIZZ BLESS 2020
  CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

8

 STORM ARC L Dragon J Moreira

1
  (Storm Creek - Most Aloof by Maroof)  

12

 Sinatra O'Hara I Santana

2

5

 Roma H Takaoka A Munro

3

11

 Lightning Ace D Koh Y F Leong

4

2

 QUE EXPRESION 2003
  INITIATION, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

3

 SHIN GOONG C Brown J Powell

1
  (Not For Sale - Esperia by Southern Halo)  

10

 Yes Baba P Shaw J Moreira

2

2

 Lucky Come T Kieser Chavez

3

1

 Amber Ale S Gray K A'Isiduhairi

4

3

 NINETYFIVE EMPEROR 2005
  CLASS 4 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)  

7

 CHINO DIABLO H K Tan Sam

1
  (Dolphin Street - August Lass by Al Khawaaneeg)  

5

 Anavila D Hill Z Zuriman

2

8

 Zac Heaven M Walker J Moreira

3

9

 Abyss B Dean S John

4

4

 WHY BE 2006, 2007 & 2008
  INITIATION, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

8

 WHAT'S DAT C Brown J Powell

1
  (Not A Single Doubt - Numero Douza by Montjeu)  

2

 Cobrador S Burridge M Nunes

2

5

 Om M Walker J Moreira

3

7

 Takeaim M Walker R Shafiq

4

5

 BEAU BRUMMEL 2009
  CLASS 5 - 1800M (POLYTRACK)  

11

 ROYAL BRAT D Hill I Andy

1
  (Elvstroem - Better By Harv by Classic Fame)  

10

 Conquest S Chua P Dellorto

2

3

 Rocky Mountain S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

3

1

 All Approved M Freedman R Shafiq

4

6

 MEXICAN ROSE 2010
  CLASS 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

2

 FOXTROT HOTEL C Brown S King

1
  (Majestic Missile - Opalescent by Polish Precedent)  

1

 Boundless Glory S Burridge J Moreira

2

6

 Chateauneuf Dupape M Freedman M Nunes

3

3

 Awakened D Kok S John

4

7

 MERLION TROPHY
  SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

4

 SPEEDY CAT H W Tan M Nunes

1
  (Scaredee Cat - Lane Cove by Magic Of Sydney)  

7

 Emerald Hill O'Hara Saifudin

2

1

 Super easy M Freedman J Moreira

3

9

 Huka Falls L Laxon D Beasley

4

8

 TUXEDO MOON 2011
  BENCHMARK 53 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)  

4

 FAT BOY H K Tan Sam

1
  (Mossman - Prisage by Snippets)  

11

 Minah Current S Yeoh I Santana

2

8

 Fly Freely D Hill Z Zuriman

3

3

 Movie Goer B Dean S KIng

4

9

 BETTER THAN EVER 2012
  CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)  

9

 NOT SIMPLE Z L Mok W L Tan

1
  (Churchill Downs - Weekend Surprise by Rubiton)  

2

 Golden Sand Steed M Walker J Moreira

2

6

 All Serene C Brown S King

3

12

 Sir Fleetwood L Laxon B Vorster

4