By Alan Carasso
Friday's S$125,000 Kranji 'A' Stakes over 1200 metres in Singapore featured a potential clash of the titans, with the two highest-rated horses in regular training in the jurisdiction resuming from injury-enforced absences. But neither 2014 champion 4-year-old Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City), the 13-5 favorite, nor War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), the 2014 Horse of the Year and 4-1 fourth betting choice, could make any serious impact, as the China Horse Club's Wimbledon (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) pounced from close range to register an 8-1 upset.
Drawn three from the outside in gate seven, Wimbledon landed in a pace-pressing position early on as 3-1 second choice Lincoln Road (NZ) (Swiss Ace {Aus}) was allowed a very soft time of it on the front end through an opening 800m in :47.65. Wimbledon tackled the leader at the head of the lane, but Lincoln Road proved a stubborn foe at the fence and it was only in the final 40 metres that Wimbledon managed to work past to register a 3/4-length success (video). War Affair weighed in some 36kg heavier than his last start and ran on with some interest to finish seventh, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Spalato, carrying 17kg excess weight compared to his last appearance, was more one-paced in eighth, some 5 3/4 lengths adrift of the winner.
“This horse keeps improving all the time and he's done a great job tonight,” said winning trainer James Peters, who took over conditioning duties from Michael Freedman earlier this year. “They went at a pretty softish tempo upfront and that suited him, especially on the Short Course.”
The connections of the defeated champions were not unduly disappointed with the results.
“I knew he would face a stiff task tonight. His preparation had not been ideal as he missed one week's work after the viral infection,” said trainer John O'Hara about the 'big-leg' issue that caused Spalato to withdraw from the Garden City Trophy Aug. 21.
“I'm still very happy with his run. He still ran a nice race first-up,” said jockey Danny Beasley of War Affair. “He ran on from the back, but levelled out at the 100m. He will come on from that first run and this prep, he will beat all these horses who finished in front of him tonight.”
Bred in New South Wales by Gooree Park Stud Ltd., Wimbledon was consigned by Widden Stud to the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale (catalog page) and was hammered down to Freedman and bloodstock agent Michael Wallace for A$170,000. Wimbledon was produced by a winning half-sister to promising first-crop sire Your Song (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (click here for a related James Harron Bloodstock feature), and the 5-year-old entire is kin to a 2-year-old Smart Missile (Aus) colt named Dark Haze (Aus). Multiple stakes-placed in Singapore, Wimbledon has six wins and 14 minor placings from 26 starts for earnings in excess of S$535,000.
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