Zac Spirit completes hat-trick with gutsy win

SINGAPORE:  Sep 20, 2013
 
ZAC SPIRIT coasting to a third consecutive win - SNTC photo

ZAC SPIRIT might have just missed out on the big prizes as a three-year-old but has grown from strength to strength since with a hat-trick of victories, each time starting as the odds-on favourite.

His gutsy win in the Benchmark 89 - 1400m handicap at Kranji here tonight is more impressive than the margin of one and a quarter lengths suggested.

ZAC SPIRIT started at the widest barrier in the nine-horse field and was caught three-wide for most of the journey. And just he was poised for his challenge, jockey Joao Moreira's foot came off the left-side iron and the gelding changed strides and became unbalanced.

"Luckily, I was able to get my foot back in over one and half strides, and he just quickened so well in the last 100m," said the champion jockey.

Purchased by trainer Cliff Brown for A$140,000 as a yearling, ZAC SPIRIT won his debut and was third to STEPITUP in the Group 2 3YO Classic and fourth to the same horse in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. But his progress since has been impressive.

ZAC SPIRIT brought up a double for Zac Stable who also won the opening event with ZAC HEAVEN, also with Moreira astride.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE:   Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position
 

1

 CLASS 5 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

5

 ZAC HEAVEN M Walker J Moreira

1
  (6 b.a.g Danbird - Forette by Shinko Forest)  

2

 Moova Cash S Lam T H Koh

2

1

 Good Boss H W Tan J See

3

4

 Always A Winner Khoo A Munro

4
 

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M

1

 KISS ME H W Tan D Beasley

1
  (3 b.a.g Casino Prince - Lost In Dubai by Dubai Destination)  

9

 Vitally Secret S Burridge J Moreira

2

6

 Just Duit Khoo L Allpress

3

3

 Any Rumour C Brown J Powell

4
 

3

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M

7

 MARCUSINO P Shaw B Vorster

1
  (6 b.arg.g Holt - Marcusina by Ibero)  

3

 Peace No War M Freedman C Brown

2

9

 Hooper C Brown B Nazwan

3

2

 Movie Goer L Laxon J Moreira

4
 

4

 KRANJI STAKES D - 1800M

5

 BRAVO D Koh J Verenzuela

1
  (4 b.nz.g Handsome Ransom - Feel On by Encores)  

11

 Vantage S Baertschiger J Powell

2

12

 Dragon G C Brown D Beasley

3

4

 April's Knight S Gray L Allpress

4
 

5

 CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

5

 SUPERB SUCCESS O'Hara J Moreira

1
  (6 ch.a.g Johannesburg - Bella Corona by Beautiful Crown)  

1

 Let Go Lenni M Freedman C Brown

2

3

 Irish Lightning P Shaw B Vorster

3

4

 Mighty Creation H W Tan Chavez

4
 

6

 CLASS 4 - 1600M

4

 EISENHEIM M Freedman M Nunes

1
  (4 b.a.g Red Dazzler - Startling Miss by Star Way)  

1

 Seasons Echo D Hill A Munro

2

10

 Aratiatia L Laxon J Moreira

3

8

 Gold Run C Brown C Brown

4
 

7

 BENCHMARK 89 - 1400M

9

 ZAC SPIRIT C Brown J Moreira

1
  (4 b.a.g Flying Spur - Kidman by Quest For Fame)  

1

 City Lad D Koh T Rehaizat

2

7

 Tom L Laxon A Munro

3

10

 Lamborghini Flame Khoo G Cheyne

4
 

8

 CLASS 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)

12

 BOARD WALK P Shaw J Moreira

1
  (3 b.am.g Student Council - Emerald Coast by Forestry)  

9

 Bourbon Goldman Z L Mok G Cheyne

2

8

 My Shine D Koh J Verenzuela

3

1

 Terminator S Baertschiger K A'Isisuhairi

4
 

9

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M

2

 CORONET PEAK D Hill A Munro

1
  (6 b.saf.g Kahal - Clair Anne by Gallic League)  

1

 Angry Cat H W Tan D Beasley

2

6

 Super Ready Khoo T H Koh

3

5

 Pokaiwhenua L Laxon C Brown

4