Drakenstein’s exciting stallion Philanthropist celebrated his second SA stakes winner in the space of three weeks when the Geoff Woodruff-trained Singapore Sling dished out a galloping lesson to his shell-shocked opponents in the R500 000 Gr2 Dingaans at Turffontein on Saturday.
Chase Maujean and Singapore Sling draw clear to win the Gr2 Dingaans in style (Pic – JC Photos)
Woodruff’s Dingaans success provided a glittering curtain-raiser to his Summer Cup celebration and had the experienced horseman lauding his jockey’s ride as ‘one of the best I have seen in a long time’.
Geoff Woodruff – impressed with Chase Maujean’s ride
And we must concur – Chase Maujean once again showing that he is as good as anybody when given the opportunities. His professional manoeuvre to overcome the wide draw and settle Singapore Sling in midfield proving decisive in the end.
A Greater Power led Janoobi and The Shredder into the home run with Singapore Sling and Heavenly Blue taking off together at the 450m marker.
While Maujean kept Singapore Sling covered just off the outside, Weichong Marwing got the fancied Heavenly Blue into the clear for his run, with Bold Rex looking to be going very well.
With Doosra coming under pressure at the 250m, the 13-1 Singapore Sling catapulted into the lead and his charge was to prove decisive as he caught a length on the 11-10 favourite, Heavenly Blue.
Maujean kept a cool head and drove his mount out to hold the luckless Heavenly Blue to 1,10 lengths in a time of 98 secs flat.
Both of the top two ran green and will improve plenty.
The Victory Moon Stakes third placer Bold Rex confirmed that good effort and was going like a dream in the home straight – until running out of energy and staying on for a rather tame third 3,25 lengths back.
Chase Maujean – confident ride
Doosra was well beaten a further length adrift in fourth.
Over the extra 200m, the form of the Graham Beck Stakes was turned on its head, with Heavenly Blue failing to kick as assertively as expected, and Doosra appearing to not stay the mile.
Trainer Geoff Woodruff was full of tributes for jockey Chase Maujean’s great ride.
Maujean said it was an honour to ride feature winners for a top yard and dedicated the win to his agent, Neil Scott.
For owners Dave and Tiaan Shawe it was a thrilling first Gr2 success, and their trainer hinted at a long night that lay ahead!
Singapore Sling is a R225 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate.
Bred by Drakenstein Stud, he is by Philanthropist (who scored his first SA stakes success with She’s A Giver in the Starling Stakes three weeks earlier) out of the three-time winning Western Winter mare, Sing Dixie Sing.
He has now won 2 races with 1 place from 4 starts and took his stakes earnings to R393 750.
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Gr2 Dingaans (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 26, R500k, 1600m, turf, soft, 1.38.38
1 – SINGAPORE SLING (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Philanthropist (USA) – Sing Dixie Sing (SAF) by Western Winter (USA). Owner Mr D Shawe; Breeder Drakenstein Stud; trainer GV Woodruff; jockey C Maujean
2 – Heavenly Blue (AUS), 60.0, gr c 3, Snitzel (AUS) – Simply Carina (USA) by El Prado (IRE)
3 – Bold Rex (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Bold Silvano (SAF) – Rexana (SAF) by National Assembly (CAN)
Margins: 1.10, 3.25, 1.00
