3 minute read

Grand Arrival lived up to his name by bursting onto the scene at the right time to topple the short-priced favourite Speedy Cat with a sensational finish on Friday night.

The Argentinian-bred entire by Pure Prize had earned more than one nod of respect for his two wins and many placings against elite cattle such as Super Easy, Simply The Best and Dark Matter.

But his odds of $25 against the $6 of Speedy Cat, who was inflicted his only defeat by Super Easy in the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge (Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m), told the story where the consensus was skewed towards.

​The $75,000 Race Ahead 2010 Stakes, a Kranji Stakes C race over 1200m on Polytrack, certainly seemed to go to script when Speedy Cat was anchored by regular partner John Powell in an ideal spot outside speedster Benji's Empire (Stephen Baster) from the start.

The pace was frantic, but Imagery (Alan Munro) box-seated nicely behind with Wassaic (Greg Cheyne) also staying in touch while Grand Arrival (Joao Moreira) seemed a little outpaced in a rearward position at the 700m.

Turning for home, Speedy Cat pounced on Benji's Empire and set sail for the winning post. Under Powell's urgings, the Alvin Tan-trained gelding stretched out gallantly but could not quite put the race away as anticipated.

It was at that moment that the red blinkered-face of Grand Arrival (donning the gear for the first time) started to make quick inroads on the outside. The unthinkable did happen at the 100m mark as the Michael Clements-trained galloper collared the hotpot before holding him off by a length on the line.

Benji's Empire plugged away solidly for third another four lengths away. The winning time was 1min 11.27secs.

Clements said he did not think they were quite on a hiding to nothing but had left the race in the hands of Moreira.

“Obviously it was hard to beat the favourite, but from the paddock, I just told Joao to just carry on with whatever plans he had – and Joao rode a perfect race,” said the Zimbabwean conditioner.

“The plan was to go forward but they went too fast in front and he dropped him back, and in the end he did a good job to beat the favourite.

“His trial was very good last week and he came into the race in very good form. The blinkers also helped him a lot.

“I remember Alan Munro rode him earlier on and told me he needed blinkers then. But he raced without and won twice.

“I think tonight they really helped, though. He is still a colt but he is so easy to train.”

Clements said he had not really mapped out any grand plans for the three-time winner, though the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 2 Stewards' Cup over 1400m does beckon a little.

“He's more of a Polytrack horse, but the first Leg of the 4YO series is a possibility,” he said.

“He did run against Super Easy in the Three Rings Trophy and showed he could measure up to that class. We've always held a high opinion of this horse.”

Moreira praised the work done by Clements on the Happy Song Stable-owned galloper and his other horses in general.

“He gave me a very nice feel when I rode him in a barrier trial last week,” said the Brazilian ace.

“They went too quickly and I had no choice but to settle at the rear. Luckily things went our way as he improved midrace and when the horses in front, including the favourite, started to get tired, he got to the line very strongly.

“He's a very nice horse and it's a well-deserved win for Michael and his team. Michael is such a nice man and in my opinion, he's a very good trainer.

“He doesn't have many horses, but he can certainly put the polish on a good one when he gets one. And it shows in the good season he is having.”