Another Derby Winner for Tavistock

Speedy and versatile enough to land the Merlion Trophy going six furlongs over the Kranji Polytrack, Infantry stepped up to the metric mile and a quarter for the first time in Sunday's Emirates Singapore Derby and parlayed a golden trip into victory in the 4-year-old centrepiece.

Away without incident from gate six, Infantry was prominent enough early on as 179-1 shot Sun Hoplites (Aus) (Statue of Liberty) crossed and cleared and set an honest tempo. Preditor (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) took the sit from second and that allowed Glen Boss to settle favored Alibi (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) right on the back of the speed from gate 11 as that duo went in search of a sweep of the 4-year-old series. The latter was flanked by Nova Strike with Infantry three back the fence and switched off nicely for Nunes. There were no significant changes to the plot through the middle stages–Sun Hoplites led from a closer Preditor into the turn and Infantry was quietly snaking his way through between Alibi and Nova Strike, awaiting his cue. Preditor was roused to a narrow lead at the 400m, but he was quickly tackled by Infantry, who was peeled out three deep, and the rails run came for Alibi if he proved equal to the task. But the chalk couldn't quite quicken through down inside, and Infantry took command with a little more than a furlong to travel and proved the superior stayer on the day. Lim's Samurai came from midpack to just outfinish Nova Strike for second, with Alibi a no-excuses fourth.

Winning trainer Alwin Tan, who also saddled Nova Strike, went agonisingly close to a first Derby score two years back when War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) was just defeated. He was basking in the afterglow of this emotional success.

“This is the biggest race I've ever won. I can't find words to describe how I'm feeling now,” said Tan. “All I can say is that I'm very happy and also for the Thai owners who came here to support the horse. This horse has such a big heart, he always does his best and throughout his prep I was satisfied with his work. Like I've said before, I gave him a lot of endurance work…and it's obviously paid off.”

For three-times champion jockey Nunes, this second Derby score was extra sweet, having recently returned from an injury that required surgery and a three-week recuperation.

“This is a miracle and thank God, it's worked out well,” the Brazilian said. “It's unbelievable, three weeks after my injury, I've come back and won the Derby, I'm very pleased. A big thank you to the owners and Alwin for keeping me on this horse, and the doctor who operated on me and made sure I come back in time.”

Pedigree Notes:
Infantry, who cost a mere NZ$7,000 at the NZB Mixed Sale in 2013, is one of 13 black-type winners for Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}), who has emerged as a potential heir-apparent for the legendary Zabeel (NZ) at Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan's Cambridge Stud. Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan bred Infantry from The Nightingale (NZ), a half-sister to Beat the Fade (NZ) (Maroof), a Group 2 winner and twice Group 1 placed in Australia; and to New Zealand Group 3 winner Dawn Till Dusk (NZ) (Manntari {Ire}). Infantry's female family also includes Australian Horse of the Year *Taj Rossi. The dam of a yearling colt by Burgundy (NZ), The Nightingale was most recently covered by Swiss Ace (GB). Infantry joins Tarzino (NZ), Tavago (NZ) and Werther (NZ) as Derby winners sired by Tavistock, while Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) landed the G1 Rosehill Guineas and was placed in the G1 New Zealand and Australian Derbies. New Zealand-breds have won six of the last eight runnings of the Singapore Derby.

EMIRATES SINGAPORE DERBY, S$1,150,000 (£642,617/€729,588/A$1,096,388/US$831,445), Kranji, 7-9, 4yo, 2000mT, 2:02.29, gd.
1–INFANTRY (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Tavistock (NZ)
1st Dam: The Nightingale (NZ), by Stravinsky
2nd Dam: Dawn Run (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
3rd Dam: Strong Queen (Aus), by Major General (GB)
(NZ$7,000 Wlg '14 NZBWBS). O-Kajorn Petch Racing No. 2 Stable; B-Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan; T-Alwin Tan; J-Manoel Nunes; S$684,250. Lifetime Record: 20-8-6-2, S$1,469,658. *Full to Night Nurse (NZ), SP-NZ.
2–Lim's Samurai (Jpn), 126, g, 4, Samurai Heart (Jpn)–Toho Queen (Jpn), by Mejiro McQueen (Jpn). (¥6,696,000 2yo '15 HOK2YO). O-Lim's Stable; B-Takashi Umamichi; T-Laurie Laxon; S$244,375.
3–Nova Strike (NZ), 126, g, 4, Red Giant–La Panthere (NZ), by Generous (Ire). (NZ$60,000 2yo '14 NZBRTR). O-Nova Racing Stable; B-J G Simpson; T-Alwin Tan; S$123,625.
Margins: 1, NK, HF. Odds: 4.60, 12.40, 23.80.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Also Ran: Alibi (NZ), Preditor (NZ), Lim's Cruiser (Aus), Elite Excalibur (Aus), Absolute Miracle (Aus), Song to the Moon (NZ), Magstock (NZ), Excellency (Ire), Sun Hoplites (Aus), Guru-Guru (NZ), Mr Scorcese (NZ), Justice Fair (Ire).
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