By Alan Carasso
Reigning champion sprinter Emperor Max (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) completed a multi-jurisdictional feature-race double for Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) with a smashing first-up victory in Sunday's Kranji Sprint, a track-and-distance prep for the S$800,000 Lion City Cup Apr. 24.
Runner-up in each of the last two runnings of the now-defunct G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint, Emperor Max validated 6-5 favoritism in the Garden City Trophy last September, earning a trip to Ascot for Champions weekend in the process. Dispatched at long odds in the Oct. 17 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S., he was hardly disgraced in finishing seventh, beaten under six lengths, by champion Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and was the distant third wagering choice Sunday behind 3-5 Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City).
With Corey Brown opting for the odds-on selection, it was Danny Beasley atop Emperor Max and the duo jumped well before settling three wide outside of the fleet filly Kiwi Karma (NZ) (Fast 'N' Famous {Aus}). Coddled along while making ominous ground at the quarter-mile marker, Emperor Max took a narrow lead 300 metres from home and clung on gamely from there to prevail narrowly. Zac Spirit (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}), critically checked for racing room with about 3 1/2 furlongs to run, was just able to get his nose down ahead of Wimbledon (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who ran a blinder to be third.
“He's not the freakiest horse, but he's just a very, very good horse. He's the best sprinter in Singapore and he's showed it today,” winning trainer Stephen Gray explained. “We had to bring him back after he ran in England, and get him going again, but he's a great horse and we don't have to do much. I'd like to travel with him again, but he's already done so much for us. He's a dream horse to train and we'll focus on his next target which is the Lion City Cup.”
Spalato, carrying top weight of 128 pounds, traveled in the company of the winner down the back, but was one-paced in the lane before running on mildly to be fifth. He will likely seek redemption at level weights in the Lion City. Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.
Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
KRANJI SPRINT, S$200,000 (£104,298/€130,166/US$148,318), 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:09.18, yl.
1–EMPEROR MAX (AUS), 118, g, 6, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Maxerelle (Aus) (MGSP-Aus, A$242,750), by Strategic (Aus). (A$110,000 RNA Ylg '11 INGEAS). O-Yau Hok Man Gordon; B-Dr Gordon & Dr Ernest Yau (NSW); T-Stephen Gray; J-Danny Beasley; S$119,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Sprinter & MG1SP-Sin, 17-8-6-1, S$1,414,285.
2–Zac Spirit (Aus), 119, g, 6, Flying Spur (Aus)–Kidman (Aus), by Quest for Fame (GB). (A$95,000 Wlg '10 MMNWNL; A$140,000 Ylg '11 INGEAS). O-Zac Stable. S$42,500.
[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Wimbledon (Aus), 110, c, 4, Snitzel (Aus)–Ditaz (NZ), by Don Eduardo (NZ). (A$170,000 Ylg '13 INGEAS). O-China Horse Club Stable. S$21,500.
[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Margins: 3/4, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 6.40, 7.60, 14.80.
Also Ran: Kiwi Karma (NZ), Spalato (NZ), Goal Keeper (Aus), El Padrino (NZ), Happy Money (Aus).
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