Bahana (NZ) Completes Karaka Triple Crown in Singapore

Select Sale and Ready to Run Sale graduate Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) followed in the footsteps of star galloper Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) to complete a Karaka clean sweep of Singapore’s Triple Crown Series.

Debt Collector, who was also a graduate of both the Select Sale and Ready to Run Sale, flew the Karaka flag with impressive fast-finishing victories in the Sgp-1 Kranji Mile (1600m) and Raffles Cup (1800m).

Debt Collector did not run in Sunday’s final leg of the Triple Crown, the S$1.35 million Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m). In his absence it was Bahana who stood tall with a sparkling performance.

Ridden by top Australian jockey Craig Williams for expat New Zealand trainer Stephen Gray, Bahana worked forward from his outside gate to take the lead. He dictated the contest from that point on, running at a comfortable pace before starting to put on the pressure 900 metres from home and maintaining a clear advantage all the way to the finish to win by a length and a half.

“He was the right horse for this race. He had an excellent run from an excellent rider,” said owner Untung Joesoef.

“My dream has come true. Bahana means loud noise in Bahasa Indonesian and he sure made some noise today!” Bahana has now had 13 starts for seven wins, four placings and more than S$1 million in stakes. This was his second stakes win, having claimed the Sgp-3 El Dorado Classic (2200m) at his previous start.

Bahana was bred by Haunui Farm and is out of the Don Eduardo mare Khales (NZ). Bahana is a half-brother to La Mouline (NZ) (Showcasing), who placed in the Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic.

Haunui Farm offered Bahana at the 2013 Select Sale, where he sold for $80,000. He returned later that year for the Ready to Run Sale, offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds. He was purchased by Peter Ho Leung for $100,000.