By Alan Carasso
Things looked as bleak as the late Sunday afternoon weather for Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}) as the field for the Singapore Guineas hit the top of the stretch of the long course. But, despite tricky underfoot conditions, the bay produced an incredible turn of speed in the final furlong and a half to stamp himself as the jurisdiction's leading sophomore.
A maiden winner over the Polytrack last November, Debt Collector earned his first turf victory in a Class 4 over 1400m Apr. 3, then produced a scintillating late burst to take out the Singapore 3YO Classic (1400m) by a widening 1 1/2 lengths Apr. 24 at odds of 18-1.
There was no such value about Debt Collector as he started the 11-5 favorite and immediately took himself out of the race as they went a solid gallop up front. Lucky to avoid traffic leaving the back when Fitzroy (NZ) (Swiss Ace {Aus}) was checked hard and plummeted through the field, Debt Collector raced inside on the turn, but had the better part of eight lengths to make up as chief market rival Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto) put it up to pacesetting Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). But Michael Rodd was able to get Debt Collector into the clear at the 400m and so fast was the gelding's acceleration inside the final eighth of a mile that Rodd had to do everything in his power not to run over his rivals. He covered his final quarter-mile in a phenomenal :22.18 according to the Trakus chart to score handsomely in the finish.
“I liked where he was in the race, but when they turned for home, I'd be happy if he had run third or fourth,” admitted winning trainer Cliff Brown. “His last 400m was just incredible. He's a horse that doesn't excite me in trackwork but I'm really excited now. He will go for a much deserved break now. Hopefully he will be my Derby horse next year.”
Added Rodd, “His turn of foot was just out of this world. He finished so hard that he ran on top of them. He won with authority in the end. I still think Cliffy needs to put a pair of shades on him. He needs blinkers.”
The winner's dam, a four-time winner and multiple stakes-placed in England while under the care of James Fanshawe, was purchased by Windsor Park Stud for 57,000gns at the 2003 Tattersalls December sale. She produced fillies by Thewayyouare in 2013 and 2014 and a filly by Shamexpress (NZ) in 2015. She was not covered during the most recent breeding season.
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.
SINGAPORE GUINEAS, S$500,000 (£253,879/€322,089/A$500,394/US$365,085), Kranji, 5-15, 3yo, 1600mT, 1:34.40, yl.
1–DEBT COLLECTOR (NZ), 126, g, 3, by Thorn Park (Aus)
1st Dam: Prompt Payment (Ire) (MSP-Eng), by In the Wings (GB)
2nd Dam: Lady Lucre (Ire), by Last Tycoon (Ire)
3rd Dam: Queen Helen (Ire), by Troy (GB)
(NZ$30,000 Ylg '14 NZBSEL; NZ$130,000 2yo '14 NZBRTR). O-Barree Stable; B-Windsor Park Stud Ltd; T-Cliff Brown; J-Michael Rodd; S$297,500. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-0, S$529,988.
2–Infantry (NZ), 126, g, 3, Tavistock (NZ)–The Nightingale (NZ), by Stravinsky. (NZ$7,000 Wlg '13 NZBMIX). O-Kajorn Petch Racing No 2 Stable. S$106,250.
3–Magnum (NZ), 126, g, 3, Per Incanto–Sound Lover (NZ), by Stylish Century (Aus). (NZ$100,000 Ylg '14 NZBPRE). O-Waterford Stable. S$53,750.
Margins: 2, HF, 4. Odds: 2.20, 18.60, 2.80.
Also Ran: Fitzroy (NZ), Nova Strike (NZ), Magstock (NZ), Mr Scorsese (NZ), Cyborg (Arg), Marine Treasure (Aus), Special Force (NZ), Rafaello (Aus), Peer Gynt (NZ), Little Big Man (NZ), Conflight (Aus).
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