Four International Entries for Singapore's Kranji Mile
The S$1.5 million Invitational Gr.1 Kranji Mile (2018, 1600m) will feature four overseas horses, namely Southern Legend and Horse Of Fortune, both from Hong Kong, Here Comes When from United Kingdom and Ocean Emperor from New Zealand.
Southern Legend is prepared in Hong Kong by trainer Caspar Fownes, well-known by Kranji racegoers for his heroics in three KrisFlyer International Sprints, twice with Lucky Nine (2013 and 2014) and once with Green Birdie (2010).
An Australian-bred five-year-old by Not A Single Doubt, Southern Legend won four races (1000m to 1200m) in Australia when prepared by trainer Les Bridge before he was sold to Hong Kong where he won four races (1200m to 1600m)
Horse Of Fortune is a South African-bred seven-year-old gelding who boasts nine wins, of which the first three came at his original career in South Africa, including the Listed Sophomore Sprint (1200m) at Kenilworth in 2013.
An eight-year-old by Danehill Dancer, the Andrew Balding-trained Here Comes When is a seasoned galloper boasting a record of eight wins and six placings in 31 starts. At four, he travelled to Baden-Baden, Germany where he captured the Group 2 Oettingen-Rennen (1600m).
Trained by Gary Hennessy of 2012 Cox Plate winner Ocean Park fame, Ocean Emperor is a six-year-old entire by Zabeel who has won seven races, including two at Group 2 level, the Tauranga Stakes (1600m) last November and the Japan New Zealand International Trophy (1600m) at his last start, at Matamata on March 24.
The Matamata trainer has his sights set on a Singapore Group One feature after receiving confirmation that Ocean Emperor has gained a spot in the Kranji Mile on May 26.
Hennessy has a proven overseas track record, having prepared Ocean Park for Group One wins in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Stakes and Underwood Stakes.
Also successful in the Gr. 1 New Zealand Stakes and Makfi Challenge Stakes on home soil, the 2012-13 New Zealand Horse of the Year was raced by Hennessy with Andrew Wong and Steve Yan.
They also share in the ownership of Ocean Emperor, a $450,000 Karaka yearling purchase out of the 2013 Premier Sale draft of Waikato Stud, now the home of Ocean Park.
A son of Zabeel and the Group One performer Tootsie, Ocean Emperor has won seven races including a defeat of subsequent Group One winner Miss Wilson and the seven-time top-flight winner Kawi in the Gr. 2 Tauranga Stakes.
At his most recent performance, the six-year-old downed multiple stakes placegetter Tiptronic and the Group One performer Travimyfriend in the Gr. 2 Japan/New Zealand International Trophy.
Credit:Ritesh Jamkhedkar-Ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretaristworld.com