Kelantan Lands Final Leg of Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge

31 July 2006

The Stephen Gray trained Kelantan (Cape Cross x Stever House) was successful in last night's Gr.2 JBBA Trophy (1600m) at Kranji, the final leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge

Ridden by Ronnie Stewart, Kelantan raced back in the field before powering home closest to the rails, to defeat Music Master (Kashani x Sonique), with Itmaybeyou (Howbaddouwantit x Julie's Sailboat) third, completing a New Zealand bred trifecta.

Bred by Oaks Stud proprietor, Dick Karreman, Kelantan was the winner of the Listed CJC Selwyn River Stud South Island Stakes at two and has been a model of consistency since relocating to Singapore.

The son of Cape Cross is out of the El Gran Senor mare, Stever House and was sold through the draft of The Oaks Stud for $135,000 at the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale to Stuart Hale and Bruce Marsh.

Third place-getter, Itmaybeyou was also sold through the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale, with Bruce Wallace securing the son of Howbaddouwantit for $22,500 from the draft of Fairdale Stud. Itmaybeyou was successful in the second leg of the Series and placed in all three legs.

Runner-up, Music Master, has placed in 10 of his 14 starts.

Keep The Message Supreme in Ryder Stakes

The John Ralph trained, Keep The Message (Keeper x Miss Morrinsville) proved too good for his rivals in the Listed Stoney Bridge Ryder Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds at Otaki on Saturday, when defeating Electrostatic (Elnadim x Echostatic) by a two and three-quarter lengths.

Keep The Message became the first stakes winner for his sire, Keeper (Danehill x Nuwirah), who is based at Cambridge Stud.

Keep The Message was already one of Keeper's five first crop winners, having scored his maiden win at Te Rapa in the autumn. The impressive gelding is owned and trained by his Hamilton breeder John Ralph, who also enjoyed success with half-brother, The Message, who won the Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes in 2000.

Their dam is the Desperate Dee mare Miss Morrinsville, whose yearling filly by Cape Cross fetched $100,000 at the last National Yearling Sales. The purchaser was Taranaki Gail Drought, who raced the high class Zabeel mare Kind Return.

Keep The Message is likely to head to Sydney for the Gr.3 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 2nd.

Third home in the Ryder Stakes was Finale (Stark South x McKlairley), who like runner up Ecostatic, was offered at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Shanamann in Determined Taumarunui Cup Victory

At Te Rapa on Saturday, the Listed Taumarunui Cup (2100m) fell the way of hardy eight-year-old, Shanamann (Manntari x Sleepy Shan). The Jenny Scott trained galloper fought doggedly to deny Cape Kinaveral (Cape Cross x Righteous Lady), with Shereigns (Danasinga x Lilaceous) finishing in third.

Shanamann bounced back from a disappointing run in the Banjo Paterson Handicap at Flemington earlier this month, to record what was his 9th career victory and his fourth stakes success.

Runner-up, Cape Kinaveral nearly completed a sensational day for sire Cape Cross, with New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner, Seachange (Cape Cross x Just Cruising) recording a gutsy victory earlier on the programme, following a 6 month absence due to injury.

Cape Kinaveral was an $85,000 purchase from the 2004 Karaka Select Sale, knocked down to Graeme Rogerson.

Personal Drum in Hiskens Triumph

The Chris Hyland trained, Personal Drum (Personal Escort x Tympanum) is favoured for a trip to Japan, following victory in the Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Personal Escort eight year old became the seventh horse to complete the Grand National Steeple-Hiskens Steeple double and is likely to be invited to the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan next year.

A graduate of the 1999 Karaka Select Sale, Personal Drum was purchased by Western Australian Bloodstock Agent, John Chalmers for $16,000.

Personal Drum scored by 4 lengths from Busby Glen (Pentire x  Lady Acumen) with Iggy (Ignatius x Pauline's Battle) finishing third.