New Zealand bred horses dominated at Kranji on Saturday winning eight races on the ten race card with Cavalry (NZ) (Tavistock) winning the feature S$85,000 Class 2 (1600m) race as he aims for the $1 million Kranji Mile on 18 May.
Bred by Marie Leicester, Cavalry was purchased by Tony Pike for $250,000 out of Haunui Farm’s draft at Karaka, a half-brother to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle, he was a dual stakeswinner under the name Tutukaka for Tony Pike and changed hands in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Bevan Smith.
In a strong run race Cavalry sat midfield with cover before having a last crack and eventually winning by a neck over a game Raising Sixty-One (NZ) (Belardo). Cavalry’s second win from five starts in Singapore took his prizemoney to over S$160,000 for the King Power Stable.
Trainer Steven Burridge confirmed that the Kranji Mile would be Cavalry’s next outing.
“That was the plan and he goes straight to the (Kranji) Mile,” he continued.
“We will take it quietly. He’s fitter now and will need to be against the champ (Lim’s Kosciuszko).
“Ruan has been booked and he (Cavalry) looks like he pulled up good, so fingers crossed he will be there fit and well in two weeks time.
Maia, who rode a double on the card, thought Cavalry still has plenty of improvement left in him.
“This horse (Cavalry) hasn’t raced much lately, so to win today was very good,” said the Brazilian hoop.
“Steven did such a good job to have him in such good condition for this race and he (Cavalry) can only improve.
“He ran second in the (Singapore) Derby (1800m) last year so he will be better over more ground with more races under his belt.
“He has a big action, so we got a beautiful run following the pace today and he was strong in the last 50m.
“I’m on him (Cavalry) in the Kranji Mile and I hope I can get a similar run like today.”
Other New Zealand bred winners were Golden Way (NZ) (Swiss Ace), Free And Happy (NZ) (The Bold One), The Wild Prince (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), Very Surprise (NZ) (Star Witness), Jin Sakamoto (NZ) (Shamexpress), Engine Start (NZ) (Highly Recommended) & Paletas (NZ) (Iffraaj).
