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Two participants from the British Isles have arrived in Singapore to try their hand in the $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint on May 18.
Both Ireland-based Balmont Mast and England-based Medicean Man were on the same 13-hour flight from London Heathrow which touched down in Changi Airport in the early hours of Monday, May 12.
They were greeted at the tarmac by Singapore Turf Club veterinary surgeon Dr Joanne Soo and her colleague Dr Sidney Lintag and were submitted to the same routine preliminary check-ups before being whisked away back to the STC and brought to their respective stalls to rest after their long trip.
According to their professional grooms, they travelled very well,” said Dr Soo. “They were very curious about their surroundings when they arrived, very excited and very alert.
“They rolled in the hay when we brought them back to their stables. It was a good opportunity for them to stretch their legs after a long journey.
“There’s nothing much to report really. They probably drank quite a lot of water during their trip because they peed quite fast when we did the urine test.”
This will be the second time Balmont Mast is competing in the International Group 1 over 1200m at Kranji. The Edward Lynam-trained galloper finished fourth in last year’s edition, just over three lengths from winner Lucky Nine. The Balmont six-year-old bay gelding has won five times from 23 starts and was narrowly beaten by Reynaldothewizard in last year’s Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Seasoned sprinter Medicean Man is prepared by Australian expat Jeremy Gask in Wiltshire, England. The eight-year-old chestnut gelding warmed up for his maiden outing in Kranji with two wins at this year’s Dubai Carnival.
Following their arrival, the international stables are nearly full, with only Japanese stallion Tokei Halo, trained by Hisashi Shimizu, absent. The five-year-old son of Gold Halo is expected here on Tuesday.