Group 1 monkey off Fitzsimmons’ back in emotional Derby win
The planning had been meticulous and the execution did not disappoint after Golden Monkey (Star Turn) gave trainer Tim Fitzsimmons his first local Group 1 win in the Singapore Derby (Listed, 1800m) yesterday.
Golden Monkey was sent off the odds-on favourite on the back of a convincing win when being ridden cold in the Stewards’ Cup (Listed, 1600m) on July 2, a tactic that showed the distance in the third leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge would not be a problem.
On jumping, it was no surprise that Australian jockey Hugh Bowman dropped Golden Monkey to last, while Elite Legend (Kodiac) took up the role of the pacesetter with Sousui (Mikki Isle) on his outside for company.
City Gold Wonder (Sooboog) and Saint Tropez (Not A Single Doubt) were also handy in the running, while jockey Manoel Nunes elected to settle Super Salute (I Am Invincible) in midfield with cover from Cavalry (Tavistock) on his flank.
With Bowman still biding his time at the 375-metre mark, backers would have been confident that Golden Monkey still had plenty left in his tank, and, when the 2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey got to work at the 350-metre mark, the race looked theirs for the taking – and it was.
Golden Monkey responded like he had done in the Stewards’ Cup by levelling up at the 150 metres before careering away to a resounding three-quarters of a length win over the brave Cavalry.
A length further back, it was a blanket go for the minors with Super Salute edging out Invincible Tycoon (I Am Invincible) by a nose for third with Saint Tropez (Not A Single Doubt) running another head away in fifth.
“It’s been twelve months in the making for this race,” Fitzsimmons said. “Nothing is by chance. Everything is planned and plotted, as well as the amazing ride. Everything came off.
“I want to thank all my staff. These horses are not easy. Kali [Kalimutha Ganesen] who rides him (Golden Monkey) every day, JN (Jayabalan Naidu, assistant trainer) and Chris [Bock], who came back to help me over the last twelve months. It’s a massive team effort.
“We had a rough start but this is an amazing feeling. I love this place (Singapore racecourse) but it’s a real shame what’s happening here. Look at the crowd here today.
“Thanks to (bloodstock agent) Josh McLoughlan who found the horse. He’s brought so many new owners to my stable.
“I want to thank my mum and dad who are at home [in Australia]. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Bowman – who earlier rode City Gold Star (Written Tycoon) to victory in the Sun Marshal 2019 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200 metres – was full of praise for both Golden Monkey and the connections after weighing in.
“A lovely turn of foot,” said Bowman of the Jig Racing and Elvin Stable-owned four-year-old.
“And that was the confidence the team instilled into me prior to riding him. Chad (Schofield, jockey) did a wonderful job last start when I couldn’t get here in between Sha Tin meetings.
“Full credit to the process because I don’t think this horse is at his best over this distance. I thought he simply had the class edge over this field and he’s been taught to settle and relax.
“He got a bit of a fright before the start and that concerned me because I thought he wouldn’t settle before he went into the gates – but he did.
“When we jumped, I just settled him at the back and after 50 metres, I was confident. He was in a lovely rhythm and it was just a case of not popping my cork until I needed too.
“I had a lot of confidence in the horse and he provided me with the turn of foot that I expected.”