3 minute read
Two of Singapore's stars stole the show last week with both Kiwi Karma and Quechua saluting in their respective events.
Talented mare Kiwi Karma was out to confirm her dominant victory two back and she did just that when too sharp for her rivals in the seventh event on Friday night.
Ridden by regular rider Manoel Nunes, Kiwi Karma proceeded to lead throughout and while the winning margin was only a length, she was never in doubt.
Her eighth career win and fourth for new trainer Michael Clements, the daughter of Fast 'N' Famous continues to track a long nicely for the Group 2 Merlion Trophy, before a possible tilt towards Dubai.
Kiwi Karma has been entered for both the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint [1000m] and the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen [1200m] at Meydan on March 26.Fellow star sprinter El Padrino contested the Al Quoz Sprint last year and performed admirably when fourth behind Secret Circle.
In the last five years the average Timeform rating for a Top 4 finish in the event is 114, which is within Kiwi Karma's reach.If able to run up to her performance behind War Affair in last year's Group 1 Lion City Cup she projects to finish fourth if not third based on previous years.
Following a similar progression to her previous preparations it's hard to see her taking a backwards step in the Merlion Trophy and hence she is a must for your blackbook.The impending clash with El Padrino creates plenty of interest as on their day, they are two of Singapore's leading sprinters.
On best form Kiwi Karma still has a bit up her sleeve and if able to reach that level at her next start she is sure to take plenty of beating.
The Patrick Shaw trained Quechua came up trumps in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl [2000m] when proving the superior stayer on Sunday.
One of six gallopers engaged from the Shaw stable, Quechua led a first four for Shaw defeating Emperor's Banquet, Perfect P and Power Play.His seventh win from 22 starts, his victory on Sunday was surprisingly his first since the Group 1 Singapore Derby [2000m] with the son of Pure Prize taking full advantage of the favourable weight scale.
Beaten comfortably by his stablemate Perfect P in the New Year Cup two back, Quechua notably met the latter six kilograms better off at the weights - a defining factor.Ridden by regular rider Corey Brown, Quechua appreciated the strong tempo set by Order Of The Sun and while only winning narrowly - that isn't out of character for the five-year-old.
Of his last three wins in Singapore, two have been by margins less than half a length.Quechua's performance saw him return easily the highest winning figure for the Fortune Bowl and continued his good run of form in the New Year.
Shaw has entered Quechua, Perfect P and Cooptado in the US$6 million Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic [2410m] to be run as part of the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on March 26 as well as Cooptado in the US$1 million Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup [3200m].While clearly one of the better stayers in Singapore, Quechua would have to improve considerably to trouble the leading hopes in the feature event.
Past winners Dolniya, Gentildonna, St Nicholas Abbey have set the bar high in recent years and with Japanese star Duramente expected to line up, it appears a lofty target for the Singapore star.
