By Alan Carasso
Despite being drawn widest of the 13 runners and spotting experience to some of the region's top horses, Countofmontecristo overcame all to win for the seventh time from his eight career starts.
One of the first to break the line, the talented 4-year-old argued the pace outside of Majestic Moments (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) while under a tight hold from Alan Munro and held that spot from second on the turn. Held together as long as possible, Countofmontecristo was given his head entering the final 400m and turned away his pace company to the inside, but still had his stablemate Alibi lapped onto to his right flank with the likes of War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) and Debt Collector winding up from the rear. Still going powerfully at the furlong grounds, the generously priced gelding reached for the wire and got there first as Debt Collector took a three-way go for second.
“He's an absolute superstar,” said assistant Michael White filling in for trainer Michael Clements at the post-race interview.
“It was his first time running at weight-for-age level. It was as good a race you would ever get, and he was also racing against his natural pattern because of his wide barrier.”
Countofmontecristo will be set for the first two legs of the local Triple Crown–the Oct. 1 Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup (1800m) Oct. 22–but is likely to pass on the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) in November. The long-term objective is the 2018 Singapore Derby.
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.
JUMBO JET TROPHY, S$200,000 (£113,918/€124,164/A$185,571/US$149,187), Kranji, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.86, gd.
1–COUNTOFMONTECRISTO (NZ), 127, g, 4, Echoes of Heaven (Aus)–Replicate (NZ), by Towkay (Aus). (NZ$57,500 2yo '15 NZBRTR). O-Joe Giovanni Sarjeet Singh; B-B F, Mrs H J & P J Crofskey; T-Michael Clements; J-Alan Munro; S$119,000. Lifetime Record: 8-7-0-1, S$671,483.
2–Debt Collector (NZ), 128, g, 5, Thorn Park (Aus)–Prompt Payment (Ire), by In the Wings (GB). (NZ$30,000 Ylg '14 NZBSEL; NZ$120,000 2yo '14 NZBRTR). O-Barree Stable. S$42,500.
3–Alibi (NZ), 128, g, 5, Darci Brahma (NZ)–Bound to Impress (NZ), by Galileo (Ire). (A$60,000 Ylg '14 INGMEL; NZ$90,000 2yo '14 NZBRTR). O-Alibi Stable. S$21,500.
Margins: HF, HD, HD. Odds: 7.80, 6.40, 2.40.
Also Ran: Elite Excalibur (Aus), Lim's Cruiser (Aus), War Affair (NZ), Emperor's Banquet (Aus), Good News (Aus), Faaltless (Aus), Majestic Moments (NZ), Poseidon (NZ), Affleck (NZ), Super Winner (Aus).
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