3 minute read

As a true racing fan you couldn't help but be excited to see War Affair return to the winner's stall on Sunday evening.

Regardless whether you made an earn or not, War Affairhas been the shining light in Singapore since his dominant display in the 2014 Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m].

War Affair

The highest rated horse since Rocket Man, War Affair has won 16 of his 25 starts, five of which at Group 1 level.

His performance in the 2014 Raffles Cup [1800m] was outstanding, however his victory in the 2015 Lion City Cup [1200m] stands alone in my mind.

First up since his game performance in the 2014 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup [2200m], War Affair stormed home down the outside to edge out star sprinters Zac Spirit and Emperor Max.

"What a monster!" was Craig Evans' summation of his performance and that he was — at the time by far and away the best in the land.

That preparation he went on to win the first two legs of the 4YO series before narrowly edged out in the Group 1 Singapore Derby [2000m] by his arch nemesis Quechua.

Plagued with injuries since, War Affair is admittedly a light of other days, however his performance in the Group 3 SAAS Fee Stakes [1400m] suggests there is still plenty of fight left in the old bull.

Conceding 5kg to Storm Troops, his willingness to win was exemplified when he surged late to dead-heat with the Ricardo Le Grange trained galloper.

Having been tightened for room inside the 300m, he clearly should have won.

Nonetheless the old boy is back and while a rising 7YO, more wins appear in store.

Sunday's performance was only his third victory first up (3/6) with the son of O'Reilly unbeaten second up (6/6) and has only tasted defeat once third up (5/6).

War Affair generally improves with racing and it's very hard to see him taking a backwards step at his next start - stick with the champ!

Forever Young

The Group 1 Singapore Guineas was a boil-over with second-year trainer Alvin Kuah Cheng Tee capturing his first success at the top level with Forever Young.

In what shaped as race in two between Jupiter Gold and Countofmontecristo, held 87% of the market, it would be a horse off a different form-line which would land the prize.

Safely held in the first leg of the 3YO series, CT would follow an alternate route to the Guineas, electing to throw Forever Young into the deep end in the Group 1 Lion City Cup [1200m].

A game performance saw the 3YO finish fourth behind star sprinter Lim's Cruiser, before clearly relishing the step up in trip on Sunday.

Ridden aggressively by Benny Woodworth to find the front, Forever Young always travelled boldly and in the end was too good.

Star three-year-old Jupiter Gold was able to turn the tables on Countofmontecristo, however he failed to reel in the CT trained galloper.

In what appears a decent renewal at the top end, Forever Young has been rated alongside 2015 Guineas winner Affleck.

Furthermore, the Group 1 Lion City Cup has already been given a decent push with both Storm Troops (3rd) and Forever Young (4th) winning at their next start.

While beaten again on Sunday, I'm still firmly in Jupiter Gold's camp as the best 3YO in Singapore.

His racing pattern again proved costly, conceding Forever Young too big a start.

No question he has a big engine, though he cannot defy physics.

The lack of early tempo hindered his chances as while Alan Munro did his best to get him into the race, he was again left with too much to do.

When dominant over the mile four starts back, the lead section was close to 5L faster.

The stronger tempo found out the weaker runners with Jupiter Gold asserting his authority.

Unfortunately he did not receive similar conditions on Sunday and in the end looked to be left found wanting.

Stick with him, he is a star, though I'm hoping connections may look to ride him further forward if circumstances allow in the future.