Unbeaten Spalato Bound for Hong Kong

James McDonald has ridden his fair share of good horses en route to becoming champion jockey in Sydney, but he did not hesitate in labeling unbeaten Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) as “one of the very best” following his sixth career win from as many starts in Sunday’s 1200-meter Luzerne Cup at Kranji. 

The bay gelding, winner of last year’s Singapore Derby (2000m) in only his fourth career start, was making his second start off a three-month absence and, with McDonald taking over for an injured Manoel Nunes, Spalato was allowed to make the lead and set a good pace before accelerating away to score by four lengths. The final time of 1:08.15 smashed the previous course record by 0.59 seconds and came at the expense of Zac Spirit (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}), most recently third in the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint in May. (video).

“It was a slightly muddling-run race and that’s why I decided to go forward in the end,” said the New Zealand 22-year-old jockey. “But once we dictated, he was always going to win that race. I just let him go and he just took off as he wanted. I couldn’t believe my luck when I was told I would ride him as I’ve heard how good he was before. He’s a superstar horse and I’m sure he’ll represent Singapore with flying colours wherever he goes.” 

Spalato’s itinerary is set to include a trip to Hong Kong for the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 23.

“This horse has done everything right since he’s been with us and today’s race was his last prep race before he heads to Hong Kong,” trainer John O’Hara confirmed. “It’ll be around Nov. 13, 10 days before the race we have planned for him. Till then, I’ll keep him in work here.” 

Singapore legend Rocket Man (Aus) (Viscount {Aus}) dead-heated for the win in the 2010 Jockey Club Sprint before narrowly missing in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint three weeks later.