3 minute read

Leading jockey Daniel Moor had a day to remember on Sunday booting home a winning double, including the Group 2 Merlion Trophy.

Booked to ride Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m] winner Top Knight in his return, Moor took full advantage when guiding the son of Zoustar to an easy win in the seventh event.

Sent out the even money favourite, Top Knight did it easily, saluting by two lengths from the Shane Baertschiger trained Nepean.

Having taken it all before him last preparation, Top Knight has now won seven of his 10 starts and is arguably the most exciting horse in Singapore.

A sectional star in the Singapore 3YO Classic [1400m], Top Knight had few issues replicating that form out to the mile when scoring by 1.8L in the Guineas.

Rated 101 by Timeform off the back of that effort, Top Knight joined an elite list to have won the Guineas, including Debt Collector, War Affair, Stepitup, Super Easy and Better Than Ever.

Without pointing out the obvious it's a good horse's race and in nine months time, wouldn't be surprised to see Top Knight as Singapore's leading contender in the Kranji Mile.

Could he win it? He'd obviously have to improve, but nothing to suggest he won't and he is clearly the horse to beat in next year's Derby - he is simply a class above at this stage.

Kicking off over 1400m, Top Knight returned from a 92 day break and adopted his usual tactics of settling towards the rear.

In the running line, Top Knight settled with just a few behind him, before peeled to the centre to make his run.

Spotting the leaders a considerable start, Top Knight began to work through his gears, before really asserting his authority over the final 100m.

Allowed to just coast late, he appears to be back in great order and returned at Timeform rating of 91, a good starting point for this preparation.

Under the weight conditions on Sunday, it was always going to be hard for him to run up to his Guineas rating and speaking to Moor prior to the race, he felt he would take good benefit from the hit-out.

The Singapore Triple Crown series kicks off with the Group 1 Raffles Cup [1600m] on September 22 followed by the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup [1800m] on October 20 before culminating with the Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup [2000m] on November 10.

Top Knight will head that way and while he will have to keep improving, he is certainly trending the right way.

Moor continued his great run with the Michael Clements stable when landing the Merlion Trophy aboard Countofmontecristo.

Out of the winner's stall for over 700 days, Countofmontecristo was able to upstage boom sprinter Bold Thruster, scoring narrowly in the feature.

Drawn one of the widest runners, Countofmontecristo was forced to travel wide throughout, however Moor always had him in a nice rhythm.

Making his move at the 800m, Countofmontecristo pulled his way to the front, hitting the lead at the 400m.

In a great two-horse war, Moor through him over the line, with very few questioning his desire on Sunday.

Marked up to his peak of 108, he is back in good order and if able to hold that form, more wins are in store this time in.