3 minute read

Speedy Cat has proved too strong for Masthead when winning the Singapore Airlines Zurich Stakes (1400m) at Kranji on Sunday night.

The three-year-old gelding has been in terrific form of late and is yet to miss the placings from seven career starts, winning his fifth race tonight.

Just a man crossed over from a wide barrier to take up the lead along with U Got It and Davide with Masthead getting the run of the race behind the leaders.

Rounding the turn, U Got It kicked clear but was soon run down by Masthead at the 300m who looked the winner before Speedy Cat who had settled around midfield got into the clear and ran on strongly.

Speedy Cat, ridden by John Powell got the better of Masthead who appeared to not see out the trip over the final 150m with Meter Mike grabbing third.

The Willie Tan-trained runner was only beaten 1.3L by Super Easy two starts back who went on to win impressively in the Guineas on Friday Night.

Tan said he was happy with the way Speedy Cat ran over 1400m for the first time and will look to step him up in distance.

“I was a bit worried as this is the first time he raced over 1400 but he looks as though he will go over further up to 1600m, this time we just did the trial over 1400m and he really liked it,” Tan said.

John Powell has ridden the horse in all 7 starts and said he was always confident he could chase down Masthead in the straight.

“We knew he probably was not going to lead today, his last few starts he has being showing that he has not been jumping out of the barriers well and I was happy to sit back a bit and was happy to run fourth fifth or sixth,” Powell said.

“He travelled beautifully through the rain and got to the right part of the track at the 300m and I thought he was always going to catch Masthead down the straight.”