By Alan Carasso
Sunday's Panasonic Kranji Mile, the first leg of the older horse Triple Crown, featured former Horse of the Year War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), reigning Emirates Singapore Derby hero Well Done (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) and Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}, whose deep closing style had seen him win five straight, including last year's Singapore Guineas. War Affair would not factor in the finish this time around, but Debt Collector and Well Done set the stage for the final two legs of the series in a pulsating finish.
No better than an 18-1 chance when taking out the Singapore 3YO Classic last April, he was a little better than the 2-1 favorite when following up in the Guineas and returned from a four-month break to scoop the Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) Sept. 4.
As is his custom, Debt Collector dropped out the back of the pack with Well Done crucially underneath him as War Affair stalked a decent pace from second. The Horse of the Year had first crack at the tiring pacesetter, but Debt Collector peeled out four wide into the lane and forced Glen Boss aboard Well Done to check off the heels of Quechua (Arg). The latter finally found room further towards the inside, punched hard and looked on his way to victory, but Debt Collector kept coming down the outer and won the photo. Majestic Moments (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), the 2016 Derby runner-up, was third ahead of an excuse-free War Affair.
“I've been nervous since Tuesday. I have confidence in his ability, but this was his biggest test by far,” commented winning trained Cliff Brown. “He's just a remarkable horse who just knows where the post is. It's onwards to the Raffles Cup (1800m, Oct. 30) now, but he won't be going for the Gold Cup (2200m, Nov. 20). Then he will go for a break and we will set him for the Derby next year.”
Both the winner and runner-up were bred by Windsor Park Stud and were acquired at New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Race Sale. 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.
Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
PANASONIC KRANJI MILE, S$700,000 (£400,904/€456,239/A$670,727/US$510,824), Kranji, 10-9, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.43, gd.
1–DEBT COLLECTOR (NZ), 127, g, 4, Thorn Park (Aus)–Prompt Payment (Ire) (MSP-Eng), by In the Wings (GB). (NZ$30,000 Ylg '14 NZBSEL; NZ$120,000 2yo '14 NZBRTR). O-Barree Stable; B-Windsor Park Stud Ltd; T-Cliff Brown; J-Michael Rodd; S$416,500. Lifetime Record: 9-6-0-0, S$1,053,589.
2–Well Done (NZ), 128, g, 5, Falkirk (NZ)–Good Cloud (NZ), by Truly Vain (Aus). (NZ$27,500 RNA Ylg '13 NZBSEL; NZ$90,000 2yo '13 NZBRTR). O-Well Done Stable. S$148,750.
3–Majestic Moments (NZ), 128, g, 5, Darci Brahma (NZ)–In Spain (Ire), by Selkirk. (NZ$115,000 Ylg '13 NZBPRE; A$120,000 2yo '13 INGRTR). O-Tmen Stable. S$75,250.
Margins: NK, 1, NK. Odds: 1.60, 5.20, 7.00.
Also Ran: War Affair (NZ), Mr Spielberg (NZ), Quechua (Arg), Laughing Gravy (Aus), Fastnet Dragon (Aus).
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