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PROSPEROUS RETURN overcame a slow
start to capture the S$300,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m at Kranji
here today.
It was not the only thing he has to overcome this year. In his season-opener
win last February
— after the Australian gelding had finished
fifth to HARD TOO THINK in the same race last year
— he was found to have bled on his return
to scale.
But that did not stop him from winning again in his next start after a
let-up. Two more encouraging runs have followed but PROSPEROUS RETURN saved
his best for today.
After missing the jump, Jake Bayliss settled him well off the pace and
waited till making the turn into the straight before making his love on the
five-year-old.
PROSPEROUS RETURN was widest of the field making the turn but by the 400m,
he was within striking distance. He headed the pacemaker HONGKONG GREAT at
the 200m and went on to score by a neck from SACRED CROIX who "flying" in
the closing stages.
"We know the horse had the ability to win a race like
this but he overcame a few things to do it today," said trainer Michael
Clements, who was watching the race in Australia.
"He had the bleeding attack to overcome – it wasn’t
major, but a setback – and things didn’t go his way last start. And he did
it the hard way today.
"Really pleased that the hard work from the stable staff
gets rewarded."
For Bayliss, it was his first Group 1 win in Singapore.
"I took a punt to come here and left everything I love
behind," He said.
The game plan was that they weren’t making ground today,
so I thought I could use him out of the gates a little bit early and try to
put him in the first four," he explained. "But we bombed the start, so I
went to plan C."
"It’s paid off. He was weary late but bring on the Gold
Cup!"
The Singapore Gold Cup will be run on Nov 19.
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