3 minute read

Star gallopers War Affair and Spalato ventured into unchartered territory on Sunday evening, with both gallopers excelling in their respective events.

Not since the likes of Rocket Man, have Singapore racegoers enjoyed such dominant performances, with Spalato now poised to tackle the world stage.

Spalato

Stepping out for just his sixth career start, Spalato was sent out the heavily supported favourite, with the five-year-old failing to disappoint in the Luzerne Cup [1200m].

Allotted the same weight as talented sprinter Zac Spirit, Spalato was facing arguably his toughest test to date.

Jumping away well from the middle draw, Spalato quickly took up the running under James McDonald.

Under a vice-like grip entering the straight, Spalato displayed a dazzling turn of foot, to race away and salute by four lengths.

Having recorded a performance rated equal to his Derby winning figure first up, Spalato improved 11 pounds on Sunday, netting a Timeform rating of 123+.

The highest rated sprinter in Singapore since Rocket Man, Spalato's performance was also backed up by the clock.

Spalato recorded a closing sectional of 32.14 seconds — close to 10 lengths inside standard, and although run at a moderate tempo early, Spalato still managed to shave 0.59 seconds off the previous Long Course track record.

Spalato's effort was further highlighted by the efforts of Zac Spirit, who finished third on Sunday, beaten 5.5L.

This level of performance can be mirrored closely to star sprinter Lucky Nine — who beat home Zac Spirit by 4.8L in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint last preparation.

Emerging sprinter Faaltless also gave a good push for the strength of the form, when finishing second, beaten 4L.

Having defeated Emperor Max (finished second in Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint) first up, Faaltless was simply no match for Spalato, despite carrying five kilograms less.

Spalato will now target the Jockey Cup Sprint (1200m) in Hong Kong, before a likely start in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in mid-December.

In the last five years, the average Timeform winning rating of the Jockey Cup Sprint is 124, which leaves Spalato right in the ballpark.

Rocket Man dead-heated for first (with One World) in the Jockey Cup Sprint in 2010, before finishing a narrow second to JJ The Jet Plane in the Hong Kong Sprint.

Prior to making the trip to Hong Kong, Rocket Man possessed a Timeform Master Rating of a 128, achieved when finishing a narrow second to Sacred Kingdom in the 2009 KrisFlyer International Sprint.

Spalato's biggest test in Hong Kong, remains whether he will handle the higher pressure of racing.

To this point he has been able to dictate to his rivals, though it is expected he will have to take sit, if he is to prove successful.

In six starts, Spalato has been simply 'freakish'.

Spalato won the Group 1 Patron's Bowl at just his third start, before demoralising his rivals in the Group 1 Singapore Derby.

His two performances this time in have been breathtaking and has given the impression that more is in store.

Is he the next Rocket Man? Only time will tell, however he is a serious racehorse in his own right and if able to travel over sound, he is expected to hold his own in Hong Kong.

War Affair

Star four-year-old War Affair lived up to all expectations in the Group 1 Raffles Cup, when he again proved a class above his rivals.

A dominant victor of the Kranji Mile two back, the son of O'Reilly took the next step up on Sunday, when streaking his rivals by almost five lengths.

The most dominant display ever witnessed in the Raffles Cup, War Affair's performance surpassed that of Better Than Ever, recording a Timeform rating of 123+.

His performance was marked equal to that of Spalato, and sets up a very intriguing Singapore Gold Cup.

Being a handicap, the Gold Cup will be War Affair's greatest test, as the anticipations builds to see what weight he receives.

If successful War Affair will be the first horse ever to achieve the triple crown (Kranji Mile, Raffles Cup and Singapore Gold Cup) in a calendar year.

In just his second attempt beyond a mile, War Affair was simply electric, reeling off a closing sectional close to 15 lengths inside standard.

War Affair averaged 11.09 second 200m sections for his last 800m, 0.13 seconds quicker than what he produced in the Kranji Mile.

More notably his last 1200m was marked just 0.20 seconds slower than Spalato, further emphasising the strength of his performance.

War Affair's previous career peak (Singapore Guineas) was achieved fourth up last preparation — suggesting his best is still yet to come.

Following a similar ratings profile, we can expect War Affair to improve again for the Singapore Gold Cup.

In what will be just his third attempt beyond a mile, the step up to 2200m should pose no concerns and he sets a very lofty standard for his rivals.

With two gallopers Timeform rated 123+, Singapore Racing has never been stronger and sets up an exciting few months.