There was South African interest in Singapore’s richest race, the $1.5 million Gr1 Kranji Mile on Saturday, when the former Cape based Tony Millard-trained Horse Of Fortune ran his heart out under Karis Teetan to be beaten into second by fellow Hong Kong raider, Southern Legend.
The Glen Puller trained Strongman swon the Sophomore Sprint under Karl Neisius
Hong Kong resumed its domination of Singapore’s international races with Southern Legend and Horse Of Fortune running the exacta in the revamped Kranji Mile.
Historically, the Lion City Cup has been a happy hunting ground for the Sha Tin raiders – winning the last three runnings of the KrisFlyer International Sprint and Singapore Airlines International Cup before those contests were abandoned in 2015.
But with the reintroduction of international racing announced earlier this year – starting with the Kranji Mile as an invitational – Hong Kong has reclaimed its position of dominance.
The two Hong Kong horses contested the S$1.5 million feature and they finished first and second with the Caspar Fownes-trained Southern Legend leading all the way to beat Millard’s Horse Of Fortune.
The now 7yo Horse Of Fortune has won over R15 million – a nice return since the hammer fell at R150 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in 2012.
Gr3 Premier Plate win for Horse Of Fortune – ridden by Callan Murray (photo: HKJC)
Starting his career with Glen Puller at Milnerton, when he raced under the name Strongman, the Northfields Stud bred son of deceased Danehill stallion Stronghold won the Sophomore Sprint of his year.
He is a first foal of the Casey Tibbs trojan Sweet Virginia, who interestingly was the last real outsider – and filly – to win the Winter Classic way back in 2005. Coincidentally that is the race won at Kenilworth on Saturday in great style by Rainbow Bridge.
