Karaka Graduates Dominate Singapore Awards

Graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock sales at Karaka dominated Monday’s 2017 Singapore Racing Awards, winning nine of the 10 equine categories.

Leading the way was Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock), who was voted Horse of the Year, Champion Four-Year-Old and Champion Miler.

Owned by the Kajorn Petch Racing No 2 Stable and trained by Alwin Tan, Infantry won four of his eight starts in 2017 including the S$1.15 million Singapore Derby, the S$700,000 Kranji Mile and the S$200,000 Moonbeam Vase.

Bought for just $7,000 as a weanling at Karaka in 2013, Infantry has won more than S$1.8 million in prizemoney in his 22-start career.

Another multiple award winner was Gilt Complex (NZ) (Gold Centre), who was voted Champion Older Horse, Champion Stayer and Most Improved Horse.

The gelding rose to prominence late in the season with back-to-back wins in the S$700,000 Raffles Cup and the S$1.35 million Singapore Gold Cup, taking his career earnings past S$1.54 million. He cost just $10,000 at the 2013 Festival Sale, the equivalent of this year’s Book 3.

Gilt Complex is trained by Cliff Brown for New Zealand couple Graham Mackie and Trish Dunell, who are no strangers to award-winning Singapore gallopers. They also bred and race the former champion Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City).

The Champion Two-Year-Old was Be Bee (NZ) (Showcasing). Bought for $220,000 as a yearling and $250,000 at the Ready to Run Sale, Be Bee won three of his four starts including the S$325,000 Golden Horseshoe.

Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) was named Champion Three-Year-Old. He won seven of his 10 starts including the S$350,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic and the S$250,000 Singapore Two-Year-Old Sprint. He also placed in the $700,000 Kranji Mile and the S$500,000 Singapore Guineas.

A $57,500 purchase at the 2015 Ready to Run Sale, Countofmontecristo has earned more than S$800,000 in prizemoney.

The Champion Polytrack Horse was the $10,000 Select Sale purchase Nova Swiss (NZ) (Swiss Ace). He picked up another two wins in 2017, lifting his career record to six wins from 14 starts and more than S$375,000 in prizemoney.

There was also a strong New Zealand connection to the human categories. Expat Mark Walker was a clear winner of the Champion Trainer award, while former central districts race-caller Tom Wood took the English category of the Racing Media Award.