3 minute read

Hong Kong raider Dan Excel rewrote the history books over the weekend when becoming the first horse to notch up back to back wins in the Group 1 SIA Cup in Singapore.

The Pascal Barry trained Gloria De Campeao came very close in achieving the elusive double, but fell short when finishing second in 2010.

Dan Excel

Enduring a disrupted preparation, Dan Excel was due to run in Australia during the Spring, however due to unforeseen circumstances, he never took his place in any race.

Sent back to Hong Kong, Dan Excel continued to make steady progress, having finished third behind Able Friend in the Group 1 Champions Mile.

Last year he followed the exact same path into the SIA Cup, however he was a lot deeper into his preparation, winning the feature event at his ninth start.

This time around Dan Excel only entered the event fifth up, though it failed to hinder his chances.

Ridden by Tommy Berry, Dan Excel was sent forward from the wide draw, with Japanese raider Meiner Frost settling second.

Allowed to dictate freely in front, Dan Excel enjoyed some very cheap sectionals and was left with plenty in the tank on straightening.

Let rip by Berry rounding the home turn, Dan Excel quickly beat off Meiner Frost and drew two lengths clear inside the 200m.

The 2013 SIA Cup winner Military Attack loomed as the only danger over the concluding stages, however Dan Excel stayed on well to salute by half a length.

Improving two pounds on his previous best, Dan Excel returned a Timeform Rating of 125, bettering his performance from last year.

The SIA Cup was the only race held on Sunday that was recorded inside standard, with Dan Excel's last 600m marked close to 10 lengths inside standard.

His third Group 1 success, Dan Excel has now had 21 starts at the top level, placing on a further seven occasions.

Aerovelocity

Fellow Hong Kong raider Aerovelocity started the short priced elect in the KrisFlyer International Spring and failed to disappoint.

Ridden by Zac Purton, many expected Aerovelocity to take a sit just off the speed, however after beginning so well, the six-year-old pressed on to find the front.

Travelling strongly entering the straight, Purton still had a good hold on Aerovelocity inside the 300m.

Appearing somewhat under threat inside the 200m, Aerovelocity kicked strongly to draw a length clear with the Stephen Gray trained Emperor Max sticking on well to finish second ahead of Lucky Nine.

His third Group 1 success in four starts, Aerovelocity continues his rich vein of form earning himself the status as one of the best sprinters in the world.

Using Timeform ratings, Aerovelocity equalled the feats of Lucky Nine who won the event in 2013 and 2014.

Hong Kong superstar Sacred Kingdom remains the highest rated winner of the event, when narrowly beating Rocket Man in 2009.

Super One

On Friday night the Michael Freedman trained Super One lived up to his very short quote when dominating his rivals in the Group 2 Golden Horseshoe.

Earmarked early doors as the best 2YO in Singapore, Super One quickly cemented these claims when leading throughout to score by five lengths.

The highest ever rated winner of the Golden Horseshoe, Super One surpassed that of Kiwi Karma, Affleck, War Affair and Mr Big - further pushing the claims of his underlying talent.

He recorded time figures well ahead of the bare form and creates plenty of interest moving forward.

Affleck

Star three-year-old Affleck reaffirmed himself at the top of the tree, when breaking through for his first Group 1 success in the Singapore Guineas.

Rated beautifully by Michael Rodd, Affleck proved too sharp for his rivals when relishing the step up to the mile.

Beaten at both starts to begin this preparation, Affleck quickly set the record straight saluting by close to two lengths.

Successful in recording a new career peak, Affleck's performance sees him rated just below that of Stepitup and Super Ninetyseven.

Star gallopers War Affair and Better Than Ever remain the equal highest rated winners of the Singapore Guineas.

Out of the same event the Mark Walker trained Jimmy Rea is definitely one to follow moving forward.

Taken back from the wide draw, Jimmy Rea was set an impossible task on straightening, with his effort to get within two lengths off Affleck extraordinary.

Over the final 800m on adjusted times Jimmy Rea was marked close to six lengths quicker than Affleck and if he had in fact drawn a gate, there could have been a different result.

Both gallopers are clearly heading in the right direction and the depth in the three-year-old ranks continues to impress.