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After winning the first two
legs of the Singapore three-year-old series, the Sprint and the Classic, WAR
AFFAIR was always going to be the horse to beat in the final leg, the
S$500,000 Singapore Guineas (1600m).
But few would have
predicted the manner in which he disposed of his nine rivals in the Group 1
event at Kranji tonight.
Danny Beasley, the new
rider for WAR AFFAIR this year after the gelding's transfer to Alwin Tan,
has his mount sitting quietly behind the early early set by LIVELY DRAGON
who led by several lengths in the back straight.
But the leader came back to
the field rounding the home bend and WAR AFFAIR was on the outside of a
bunch of horses at the top of the straight.
WAR AFFAIR hit the front at
the 300m and cleared away in the run home to win by four lengths in a new
(long) course record time of 1min 33.65secs.
The victory gave Tan his
first Group 1 win and continued a remarkable season so far for the Singapore
trainer who is leading the premiership.
"I have to say there’s been
a bit of pressure to win this race," said Tan. WAR AFFAIRA was backed down
to return $6 on the win tote.
"This horse is just
wonderful. The longer the better for him. I haven’t really planned anything
for him yet, but down the road, I guess I will look at travelling him to
Dubai along with a couple of horses hopefully, and if all goes well, the SIA
Cup next year."
"I’ve won a few Group 1
races, but he’s pretty special as far as special horses go," Beasley said
who won the 2003 Golden Slipper on POLAR SUCCESS.
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