By Alan Carasso
Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) completed a fairy tale weekend for trainer Stephen Gray, winning this richest race on the domestic racing calendar to add to the victory of Lim's Cruiser (Aus) (Casino Prince {Aus}) in Friday's EW Barker Trophy.
A two-time graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock sales, Bahana entered the Gold Cup having won half of his 12 career appearances and two straight, a BM89 over 2000m Oct. 9 ahead of a battling success in the El Dorado Classic, the course-and-distance prep, Oct. 30.
With Craig Williams flown in especially for the ride, Bahana jumped well and chased outside of Time Odyssey (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf})crossing under the wire with a lap to go, but sensing the lack of speed, Williams allowed Bahana to roll forward and took over with a little more than a mile to travel. From there, Bahana galloped along at a leisurely pace, covering the opening six furlongs in a pedestrian 1:19.25 and setting up a sprint to the line. Still traveling well within himself entering the final three-eighths of a mile, Bahana was asked for his best at the 500m mark and had a few lengths on his rivals with heads turned for home. Time Odyssey gave game chase, but Bahana had enough in the tank to hold sway, as Blue Swede (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) rallied admirably from last.
“He's a lazy horse and still doesn't quite know what he's doing, but I tried to get him going, teach him to be strong in front and it's worked out well,” said Williams, who was able to make the 50.5 kilos. “I didn't want the others to come to me and that's why I went early with him, he had to make the others run and chase him. Just before the home turn, I gave him a few reminders to wake him up and he just kept going. It was a great training feat from Steve.” Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.
Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
DESTER SINGAPORE GOLD CUP, S$1,350,000, Kranji, 11-20, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:17.42, gd.
1–BAHANA (NZ), 111, g, 5, Elusive City–Khales (NZ), by Don Eduardo (NZ). (NZ$80,000 Ylg '13 NZBSEL; NZ$100,000 2yo '13 NZBRTR). O-Dago Stable; B-Haunui Bloodstock Ltd; T-Stephen Gray; J-Craig Williams; S$803,250. Lifetime Record: 13-7-2-2, S$1,121,726. *1/2 to La Mouline (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}), GSP- NZ.
2–Time Odyssey (SAf), 113, g, 5, Jet Master (SAf)–Tachina (Ire), by Spectrum (Ire). (R1,600,000 Ylg '13 EMPNAT). O-Avengers Stable. S$286,875.
3–Blue Swede (NZ), 114, g, 6, O'Reilly (NZ)–Hooked Ona Feeling (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ). (NZ$100,000 Ylg '12 NZBPRE; NZ$150,000 2yo '12 NZBRTR). O-Shane Baertschiger. S$145,125.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Margins: 1HF, NK, HD. Odds: 3.20, 27.00, 35.20.
Also Ran: Newlands (Aus), Quechua (Arg), Majestic Moments (NZ), Laughing Gravy (Aus), Mr Spielberg (NZ), Cooptado (Arg), Squire Osbaldeston (Ire), Titanium (NZ), Cheetah On Fire (NZ).
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