Fairway's Turf Online

Spalato scored runaway win in Derby

SINGAPORE: Jul 13, 2014

SPALATO proves too classy in the Emirates Singapore Derby
- SNTC photo

SPALATO answered the question mark over his ability to stay the distance in emphatic style when he captured the S$1.15mil Emirates Singapore Derby for four-year-olds over 2000m at Kranji here today.

SPALATO is a latecomer to racing, having his first start just two months ago. But the New Zealand gelding has gone to win all his previous three starts.

Whereas he was tested by last season's champion three-year-old STEPITUP in the Patrons' Bowl (1600m), winning by a short head, he was head and shoulder in the Derby.

Kept well up with the pace throughout by jockey Manoel Nunes, SPALATO stormed clear in the final stretch to win by four and a half lengths from the rest headed by STEPITUP.

"The distance was the only worry, but obviously he stays,” said O’Hara. “Before the race, we decided he could either go forward or take a sit, but I was happier when he took a sit."

"Words can’t describe how I’m feeling now," said Nunes. This horse has improved so much and to do what he did today was just amazing."

O'Hara and Nunes had picked up their first Group 1 win in the Patrons' Bowl and this is an even bigger win.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

	HELLO SINGAPORE STAKES
1	CLASS 4 - 1600M
7	NEW YORK CITY	L Laxon	J McDonald	1
	(4 b.a.g Haradasun - Way Cool by Royal Academy)
13	Geeson Master	S Chua	K A'Isisuhairi	2
5	Imperial Fighter	C Brown	L Allpress	3
6	Gold Line	P Shaw	N Juglall	4

	HELLO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES STAKES
2	RESTRICTED MAIDEN, DIV 2 - 1400M
9	HIGHER SOUL	H Takaoka	A Munro	1
	(3 br.j.f Higher Game - Sweet Soul by Soul Of The Matter)
8	Brother Bay	B Dean	D Beasley	2
7	Bernard's Fighter	Khoo	N Juglall	3
6	Hentietta	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	4

	HELLO UNITED KINGDOM STAKES
3	2YO OPEN - 1200M
4	BLACK MAMBA	T Kieser	D Beasley	1
	(2 br.a.g Written Tycoon - Dipping by Straight Strike)
8	Super Eight	M Freedman	CW Brown	2
2	Rock Esprit	P Shaw	N Juglall	3
7	Mighty Glory	P Shaw	B Vorster	4

	HELLO IRELAND STAKES
4	RESTRICTED MAIDEN, DIV 1 - 1400M
2	CITY OF KIRKWALL	S Gray	J Powell	1
	(3 ch.nz.g Pentire - Noubeel by Zabeel)
1	Just Name It	C Brown	A Munro	2
5	Eden Park	B Marsh	J McDonald	3
7	Super Joy	D Koh	I Santana	4

	HELLO SPAIN STAKES
5	BENCHMARK 67 - 2200M
3	WAR TIME	Khoo	N Juglall	1
	(5 b.a.g Danasinga - Joh Time Lady by Zeditave)
4	Prince Mag	M Walker	L Allpress	2
10	Over Easy	S Burridge	Saifudin	3
5	Gold Hill	C Brown	D Browne	4

	HELLO UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN STAKES
6	GRADUATION - 1200M
4	ALL MY WAY	HW Tan	K A'Isisuhairi	1
	(5 b.a.g Ukok Warrior - Born Bright by Mighty Alacanche)
7	Ruapehu	L Laxon	J McDonald	2
5	Room For Excuse	H Takaoka	A Munro	3
6	Rikioh	T Kieser	D Beasley	4

	PAITITI GOLD TROPHY
7	SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1200M
2	GOAL KEEPER	T Kieser	Soo	1
	(5 b.a.g Untouchable - My Cousin Rachel by Kampala)
6	Hypernova	B Marsh	Z Zuriman	2
5	Slew Of Lode	P Shaw	B Vorster	3
3	Holy Empire	M Freedman	M Nunes	4

	HELLO AUSTRALIA STAKES
8	CLASS 2 - 1400M
2	GOODMAN	L Laxon	J McDonald	1
	(3 b.nz.g Alamosa - Lucky Street by Street Cry)
8	Indian Jade	M Freedman	M Nunes	2
6	One Smart Cat	S Baertschiger	B Vorster	3
5	Flash Gift	O'Hara	I Santana	4

	HELLO AFRICA STAKES
9	KRANJI STAKES A - 1600M
8	GOLD RUTILE	H Takaoka	A Munro	1
	(6 b.j.m Gold Halo - Printemps Charme by Northern Taste)
1	Wild Geese	S Burridge	M Nunes	2
5	Born To Fly	S Gray	R Rueven	3
7	Nandowra	S Chua	P Dellorto	4

	HELLO POLAND STAKES
10	CLASS 3 - 1400M
6	BOGART	M Freedman	J McDonald	1
	(3 b/br.nz.g Darci Brahma - Pavan by Centaine)
7	Om	M Walker	M Nunes	2
3	Nature Is Nature	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	3
8	Stiletto	B Marsh	CW Brown	4

	EMIRATES SINGAPORE DERBY
11	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (4YO, SW) - 2000M
3	SPALATO	O'Hara	M Nunes	1
	(4 b.nz.g Elusive City - Ellington by Express Duke)
1	Stepitup	S Yeoh	D Flores	2
11	Magical Talent	L Laxon	R Rueven	3
14	Verglatica	S Burridge	Azhar	4

	HELLO BRAZIL STAKES
12	CLASS 4 - 1400M
2	POWER LION	HW Tan	D Beasley	1
	(3 b.nz.g Danroad - Baralo'kash by Kashani)
1	Euro Zone	L Laxon	J McDonald	2
4	Vectis	S Burridge	A Munro	3
11	Powernova	B Marsh	Z Zuriman	4