Star Emperor (NZ) Soars to Jumbo Jet Win

Star Emperor (NZ) (Red Giant) could have been bought for $10,000 at the 2015 Select Sale at Karaka, and on Sunday he scored a brilliant victory in the S$175,000 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) at Kranji.

It was a fourth win from 13 starts for the chestnut gelding, who began his career under the name Stealth Giant. He has now earned the equivalent of more than NZ$210,000 in prize-money – 21 times his reserve at Karaka.

Sunday’s win was a sparkling performance, sprinting home from third-last with a rails-hugging run under apprentice jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong, beating the front-running Biraz (NZ) (Per Incanto) by half a length.

“This horse has always shown potential to us,” trainer Leticia Dragon said. “Based on his last run when he ran on for third to Sun Marshal, who went on to win the Derby last week, I thought he would run a good race today.

“Simon rode him great. At the 600 metres, he made his move and sneaking up on the rails to beat them was such a great winning move.

“No doubt it was a big step up in class for the horse, but he has risen to the occasion. I’ll see how he pulls up and then look through the programme, but let’s do that later. We’ll just enjoy today’s win.”

Star Emperor comes from a family of Singapore racing royalty, being out of a half-sister to the two-time Singapore Horse of the Year Rocket Man (Viscount).