SINGAPORE: International Fields Taking Shape

3 minute read

Fields for Singapore's two international races on May 20 – the $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup and the $1 million Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint – have attracted some top horseflesh from around the world.

The SIA Cup (2000m) sees the French-trained Cirrus Des Aigles, with a Thoroughbred World Rating of 128, as the highest rated galloper to make his way to Singapore in the short history of the race.

Cirrus Des Aigles comes to Singapore with two Group 1 victories under his belt at his last two starts, capturing the Dubai Sheema Classic over 2400m and the Prix Ganay at Longchamp over 2000m.

Joining Cirrus Des Aigles are fellow French-trained gallopers Chinchon – fifth in last year's SIA Cup – and Dream Peace, while last year's winning owner Ramzan Kadyrov will have recent addition Zazou, who defeated Cirrus Des Aigles on the Polytrack at Chantilly two starts back, lining-up in his colours this year.

The International meeting would not be complete without the “Blue Army” of Godolphin which will be represented this year by City Style, prepared by Mahmood Al Zarooni.

Hong Kong has three representatives headlined by dual BMW Champions Mile winner Xtension, with final confirmation of his participation to be decided later in the week after his victory on May 6. He is to be joined by California Memory and [Thumbs Up[/n].

Out to repel the foreign raiders will be the evergreen Laurie Laxon-trained galloper Waikato who will be running for the fifth straight year on International night.

After running fourth in the 2008 and 2009 KrisFlyer's, Waikato was stepped up in distance to the 2000m of the SIA Cup in 2010 finishing fourth behind Lizard's Desire before dead-heating for third behind Gitano Hernando last year.

Waikato goes into the SIA Cup in peak form having tasted success for the first time at 2000m when victorious in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 27.

Local runners joining Waikato will be Always Certain, El Dorado, Flying Fulton, Flax, New Rose Wood and Speed Baby.

The KrisFlyer over 1200m will see the return bout of the Bahrain-trained Krypton Factor and local champion Rocket Man.

The pair squared off in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m at Meydan on March 30 with Krypton Factor coming out victorious.

Rocket Man, who recently added a fourth Group 1 Lion City Cup to his record, will be out for redemption and to back-up the success he obtained in winning last year's KrisFlyer at his third attempt.

Joining the pair will be European sprinters Invincible Ash and Secret Asset while the remaining spots will be taken by local sprinters Ato, Better Be The One, Captain Obvious, Mr Big, Perfect Pins and Yin Xin.

Commented Soong Tze Ming, Senior Vice President Racing at the Singapore Turf Club: “Again our two International races have gathered high quality fields. To have a horse of the calibre of Cirrus Des Aigles coming to contest the Singapore Airlines International Cup is a clear indication that the race is highly regarded on the international circuit and we also get the chance to witness the rematch of the two Golden Shaheen protagonists Krypton Factor and Rocket Man in the KrisFlyer International Sprint.”

LIST OF INVITEES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Singapore Airlines International Cup

Always Certain (Singapore)

Chinchon (France)

City Style (UAE)

El Dorado (Singapore)

Flying Fulton (Singapore)

Speed Baby (Singapore)

Waikato (Singapore)

Zazou (Germany)

Better Be The One (Singapore)

Invincible Ash (Ireland)

Mr Big (Singapore)

Rocket Man (Singapore)

Yin Xin (Singapore)