Versatile galloper Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock) powered away to an emotional Emirates Singapore Derby win for both trainer Alwin Tan and jockey Manoel Nunes on Sunday.
The prestigious $1.15 million race over 2000m has been an elusive prize for the reigning Singapore champion trainer in his eight years at Kranji, coming agonisingly close once when War Affair lost to Quechua in a head bobber in the 2015 edition.
Nunes, Singapore’s three-time champion jockey, does have one Singapore Derby win to his name, courtesy of the outstanding Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) the year before (2014), but the Brazilian hoop joined Tan in describing Infantry’s Derby success as an even more memorable career highlight.
“I’ve been very confident all along as I could feel he was in the best form of his life,” Nunes said. “I galloped him on Saturday and Tuesday, and I told Joe (D’Zulkifliy), Alwin’s assistant-trainer that he would win the Derby.
“I know this horse really well, and he gave me such great confidence. Today, he just showed me where to go, he is so professional.
“In the running, I even told Danny (Beasley on Lim’s Cruiser) what a lovely position I was in. He’s a horse that doesn’t like to be chased or held back, and today, everything was perfect.
“At the 700m, I had a lot of horse under me, and when the gaps opened, he just pulled away to a big break. He got a bit tired in the end but he had enough left in the tank to last it out.
“A big thank you to the owners and Alwin for keeping me on this horse, and the doctor who operated on me and made sure I come back in time.”
As tears welled up his eyes at the winner’s enclosure, barely able to maintain his composure, Tan probably wished he could just go and pop the champagne. The Singapore Derby was finally his and he could now finally exorcise the ghosts of that War Affair defeat.
“This is the biggest race I’ve ever won. I can’t find words to describe how I’m feeling now,” said Tan.
“All I can say is that I’m very happy and also for the Thai owners who came here to support the horse.
“This horse has such a big heart, he always does his best and throughout his prep I was satisfied with his work. Like I’ve said before, I gave him a lot of endurance work, more than the two other horses (Nova Strike who ran third and Absolute Miracle who ran eighth), and it’s obviously paid off.
“When Infantry drew six, I was even more confident as we were hoping for anything from five to eight, and here I have to thank my wife for her lucky hand at the draw!
“From barrier six, I didn’t have to tell Nunes what to do as he knows the horse so well. When they landed in fifth or sixth on the rails, I knew they would have a good chance.
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Infantry is a $7000 graduate of Cambridge Stud's 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.
New Zealand bred gallopers have now won 6 of the past 8 Singapore Derbys, while Infantry has won nearly S$1.4 million in prizemoney. – Singapore Turf Club