NZB Graduates Perform in Singapore

14 November 2006

Singapore racing over the weekend gave buyers plenty of reasons to consider attending the New Zealand Bloodstock Sales at Karaka over the coming months.

On Sunday's feature race day, Karaka Premier Sale graduate Big Easy (Spinning World x Nicole's Niner) did not disgrace himself, with a third placing in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) behind Mr Line and War Horn. Big Easy was purchased by Bruce Wallace at the Sale, for NZ$35,000 from Waikato Stud. The five-year-old has now had 33 starts for 9 wins. A full-brother to Big Easy will be offered at the Karaka Premier Sale in January.

Abbey Drive (Zabeel x Grace and Power) recorded his first win in Singapore on Sunday in the S$95,000 Class 2 Hcp (1800m). A NZ$300,000 purchase by the Jillings and Yuill racing stable, the gelding was already Group 3 placed in New Zealand before continuing his career in Singapore with Laxon, for the Silver Fern Racing Stable. His full-sister will be offered at the Karaka Premier Sale in January.

Kipadi (Istidaad x Henryka) was the other New Zealand-bred to shine, in the Novice S$65,000 (1400m) on what was a top day's racing. He lead-up second placed Big City (City on a Hill x Iseult), a NZ$11,000 purchase by Andrew Bloodstock Ltd from Curraghmore Stud at the 2004 Karaka Festival Sale.

The in-form Why Be (Success Express x Charybdis) continued his winning way, coming out on top in one of Saturday's feature races, the S$125,000 Kranji Stakes A (1200m). The entire is trained by Laurie Laxon for Perfectum Stable. The four-year-old was a NZ$26,000 purchase at the Karaka Select Sale by Bruce Wallace from Chequers Stud. Why Be's record now stands at 13 wins from 16 starts with Saturday's victory his fourth in a row.

It was a Karaka quinella in the race, with Zankel (Carnegie x Happiness) following Why Be home in second place. He was a NZ$200,000 purchase at the Karaka Premier Sale by Darley Australia, from Trelawney Stud.

Karaka Ready to Run graduate Screaming Eagle (Catbird x Melodrama), prevailed in the Class 4 (Div 1) over 1200m. He was bought by owner, Jerry Sung, for NZ$200,000 at the Sale from Halo Farm.

Daring Mellifont (Mellifont x My Tangia), also a Karaka Ready to Run Sale graduate, broke through for his first win in the Maiden (1800m). He was purchased by owner Mr Kah Wui Lim last year for NZ$20,000 from Eagle Farm Racing Stables. He was earlier purchased by D Lang at the Karaka Festival Sale for $10,000 from Paramount Lodge.

Another New Zealand-bred Lim's Objective (O'Reilly x Hasty Bird), took out the Class 4 (Div 2) (1200m) maintaining his perfect record of two wins from two starts