Sacred Croix impressive mile winner, but Kranji Mile not on the cards
The back-in-form Sacred Croix (Savabeel) zigzagged his way from a seemingly untenable position to go and score a thriller in yesterday’s Kranji Stakes A race over 1600 metres.
Touted as a Singapore Derby (Listed, 1800m) hope when he reeled off a four-in-a-row early in his local career in 2019, Sacred Croix hit lean times for almost two years before he finally struck a purple patch again.
A winner at two of his last three starts before yesterday, he reigned supreme once more, despite again looking a forlorn hope at a crucial stage of the race.
This time, Mark Walker’s six-year-old, who settled in the last few from the start, still spotted the leading protagonists around ten lengths at the point of the turn, on his lonesome hard up against the rails as the well strung-out field flushed out wide.
But well ridden by Walker’s boom apprentice Hakim Kamaruddin, the even-money favourite got going late to beat Sincerely (Evasive) by a head in the smart time of 1min 34.76secs.
Walker was obviously delighted the former Raffles Racing Stable-owned galloper has refound his mojo, but fell well short of making him a Kranji Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) contender.
“He won another nice race, but to be honest, I was worried about the track. He’s not the same horse when there’s a bit of rain,” said the three-time Singapore champion trainer.
“He just needs a really firm track, but Hakim rode him very well and he flew in late. He had to get to work early as the leader was so far in front.
“I don’t think Sacred Croix is a Kranji Mile horse though as it’s run at set weights, he’s not a weight-for-age horse.
“Today, he had only 51 kilograms on his back but in a race like the Kranji Mile, he’ll have to carry 58 kilograms.”
Be You keeps Beasley busy at winner’s circle
A smooth frontrunning ride coupled with a solid dose of perseverance from comeback hoop Danny Beasley saw favourite Be You (Showcasing) pick himself off the canvas to outgun his rivals.
The lamplighter for a long way in the novice race over 1400 metres, Shane Baertschiger’s Auric Stable ward came under siege when Infinite Wisdom (All Too Hard) ranged up at the top of the straight, even surrendering the lead for a few strides.
But as Beasley got stuck into Be You with renewed vigour, the three-year-old rallied bravely to regain the advantage before seeing off the late challenge of Ricvelo (Toronado) to win by half a length.
A suitably impressed Beasley predicted a bright future for Be You.
“It was a very good win. In the run, he really looked as good as he felt. I probably went quicker than I would have liked, but I had a good run around the circle,” he said.
“Credit to Shane. The horse was very fit and is so easy to ride. He will run a mile one day. There’s a certain quality about him.
“It was also good to ride a winner for Shane, as I’ve ridden a lot for him and his father Don in the past.”
The win on Be You was a second victory on the card for Beasley who had earlier been successful on Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) meaning he has now booted home six winners in 30 rides since making a surprise return to the saddle.
“I just can’t believe the support I’m getting from trainers and owners since I came back. I’m so thankful to the Singapore Turf Club for giving me that licence and for all the support,” he added
War Pride straight back to winning ways
Promising galloper War Pride (Tavistock) returned an impressive winner in the first division of the Class 4 race over 1200 metres on Polytrack.
Tipped out after his last-start second in a similar Class 4 race but over 1400 metres on turf in October, the four-year-old backed up his trainer Jason Ong’s belief he might have reached another level with a dominant performance first-up, more so on a surface he is unproven.
“I was expecting a forward run. He had two nice trials and it was encouraging to see him win first-up today,” said the young Singaporean handler.
“He’s definitely benefited from the spell he had. He’s come back a stronger and more mature horse.
“I wasn’t too concerned about the track as he’s raced on Polytrack before even if he didn’t win. I thought he should be able to handle it today.”