Hard Too Think bags Singapore Derby

SINGAPORE:  Jul 25, 2021
 
 
 

Just two months ago, HARD TOO THINK was racing (and winning) in Class 4 - his second success in that class after breaking through in Restricted Maiden last year.

Promoted to Class 3, the son of All Too Hard found one to beat last month before facing his group test in the Singapore Derby at Kranji here today.

HARD TOO THINK started at generous odds in today's contest, being up against the Stewards' Cup (1600m) winner MR MALEK and runner-up BIG HEARTED and five others in the smallest Derby field in years.

HARD TOO THINK bypassed the Cup three weeks ago and found today's 1800m trip right up his ally. Settling just behind the pace in a bunched-up field, the Australian gelding hit the front at the 250m, the held off the Gold Cup winner BIG HEARTED to win by one length.

HARD TOO THINK has now picked up four wins and three placings in 11 starts.

It was the second win in the Derby for trainer Stephen Gray who first tasted success back in 2007 with LIM'S PRESTIGE.

For jockey Marc Lerner, it was his second Group 1 win in Singapore, after piloting MAKANANI to win the Raffles Cup in 2019.

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

1

 TOP KNIGHT 2020 STAKES
CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
10 TIGAROUS J O'Hara J van der Merwe

1
(4 b.ir.g Dragon Pulse - Redstaroverchina by Starspangledbanner)
2 Street Party J Peters K Hakim

2
1 Circuit Star J Peters L Beuzelin

3
6 Zoffspeed R Le Grange CC Wong

4
 

2

 SUN MARSHAL 2019 STAKES
RESTRICTED MAIDEN (WFA) - 1600M
10 KHAO MANEE J Tan CC Wong

1
(3 br.nz.g Remind - Criquette by Forensic Evidence)
7 Great Exptectation S Gray V Duric

2
2 Con Speranza H Takaoka M Lerner

3
6 Ace Sovereign T Fitzsimmons K Hakim

4
 

3

 JUPITER GOLD 2018 STAKES
CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
9 BASILISK L Khoo T Krisna

1
(6 b.nz.g Battle Paint - Dangerous Seas by Dangerous)
6 Snip D Meagher D Beasley

2
8 Arion Passion KY Young J See

3
1 Crystal Warrior J Lim K Hakim

4
 

4

 INFANTRY 2017 STAKES
OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
8 EIGHT BALL S Baertschiger M Kellady

1
(3 blk.a.g Stryker - Barabba Star by Youthful Legs)
13 Big Tiger J Tan CC Wong

2
5 Silver Sword J Tan R Shafiq

3
6 Zestful KY Young M Zaki

4
 

5

 WELL DONE 2016 STAKES
CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
9 WINNING HOBBY CT Kuah T Krisna

1
(5 b.am.g Congrats - Pearl Queen by Street Sense)
5 Speedy Missile M Walker K A'Isisuhairi

2
3 Tom Cat M Clements L Beuzelin

3
10 Charming Diamond S Baertschiger M Zaki

4
 

6

 QUECHUA 2015 STAKES
CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
6 HIDDEN PROMISE M Walker R Shafiq

1
(8 b.nz.g Postponed - Promissory by Zabeel)
11 Gingerman CT Kuah T Krisna

2
1 Blitz Power J Ong TH Koh

3
5 Lim's Rhythm D Kok S John

4
 

7

 SPALATO 2014 STAKES
KRANJI STAKES B (SW) - 1800M
6 ELITE INCREDIBLE M Clements K Hakim

1
(5 br.arg.g Valid Stripes - My Chance by American Chance)
9 Wind Trail H Takaoka M Lerner

2
8 Tangible M Clements K A'Isisuhairi

3
4 So Hi Class M Clements L Beuzelin

4
 

8

 BETTER LIFE 2012 STAKES
CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
1 ARARAT LADY T Fitzsimmons K Hakim

1
(5 b.nz.m Battle Paint - Desire by Danehill Dancer)
4 Al Green S Gray R Iskandar

2
7 Super Smart KY Young S John

3
9 First Chief J Lim PH Seow

4
 

9

 CHASE ME 2012 STAKES
CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
8 HADEER M Walker PH Seow

1
(5 br.a.g Savabeel - A Real Princess by O'Reilly)
9 Sacred Judgement M Walker K A'Isisuhairi

2
4 Wealth Elite S Burridge WH Kok

3
5 Charger L Khoo CC Wong

4
 

10

 SINGAPORE DERBY
SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (4YO, SW) - 1800M
8 HARD TOO THINK S Gray M Lerner

1
(4 b.a.g All Too Hard - Mnemonic by Hussoset)
3 Big Hearted M Clements V Duric

2
5 Savvy Command M Walker R Shafiq

3
1 Mr Malek S Burridge K A'Isisuhairi

4
 

11

 CLINT 2011 STAKES
CLASS 4 - 1800M
14 GOLD REWARD R Le Grange J van der Merwe

1
(7 b.am.g Warrior's Reward - Contrition by Pulpit)
12 Atlas S Baertschiger M Kellady

2
3 Luck Of Master D Koh K Hakim

3
5 Buddy Buddy M Walker R Shafiq

4