by Richard Edmunds, courtesy TDNAus/NZ
Sun Marshal (Aus) (Sepoy {Aus}), a 23-1 outsider, starred in a rain-soaked Singapore Derby at Kranji on Sunday, heading a quinella for ex-pat Australian trainer Lee Freedman and delivering a first domestic Group 1 win for jockey Joe Azzopardi.
23-year-old West Australian jockey Joe Azzopardi played his part brilliantly in the S$1-million feature, bringing Sun Marshal across from a wide gate for a perfect run just behind the leaders. Sun Marshal surged to the lead in the straight, and despite tiring in the wet ground over the last 150 metres, he held on grimly to beat his fast-finishing stablemate and 2018 Singapore Guineas hero Mr Clint (NZ) (Power {GB}) by a neck. King Louis (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) ran on well for third.
“What a buzz,” said Azzopardi, who began his Singapore riding stint in April of this year. “I'm nearly lost for words. My parents are great supporters of mine, and they would have torn the house down back home–my sister too [fellow jockey Chloe].”
While Sun Marshal was an upset winner, Azzopardi was confident he was riding a genuine contender. That confidence only grew after the first 200 metres of the race.
“It panned out perfectly,” he said. “They went hard in front, and we were able to get a good run one off the fence. The horse trucked up and took the lead, and he was really strong in the fight to the line, just like I knew he'd be.”
Pedigree Notes:
Sun Marshal is the 13th black-type winner for Darley' Sepoy and is a half-brother to 3-year-old Light Exceed (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who carried the Evergreen Rich silks to a maiden victory at Kembla Grange July 11. Sun Marshal's dual stakes-placed second dam is a full-sister to the outstanding stallion Fastnet Rock (Aus) and is herself responsible for SP Emotional Circus (Aus)-a daughter of Sepoy's sire Elusive Quality-and MGSP Twirl (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). Dam of a weanling filly by Sizzling (Aus), Mysterious Light was covered by the late Sebring (Aus) in September 2018. (Pedigree Notes by Alan Carasso)
Read the full race recap in Monday's TDNAusNZ.
Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
SINGAPORE DERBY, S$1,000,000 (£587,834/€654,950/A$1,043,681/US$734,922), Kranji, 7-21, NH/SH4yo, 1800mT, 1:49.10, yl.
1–SUN MARSHAL (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Sepoy (Aus)
1st Dam: Mysterious Light (Aus), by Fantastic Light
2nd Dam: Cirque Du Soleil (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Picadilly Circus (Aus), by Royal Academy
1ST STAKES WIN. (A$200,000 Ylg '16 MMGCYS). O-Sun Bloodstock Racing Stable; B-Evergreen Rich Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Lee Freedman; J-Joe Azzopardi; S$595,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Aus, 16-5-3-4, US$618,910. *Formerly Han Xin (Aus).
2–Mr Clint (NZ), 126, g, 4, Power (GB)–Victoria Belle (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ). (NZ$52,500 Ylg '16 NZBJAN; NZ$90,000 2yo '16 NZBRTR). O-Oscar Racing Stable; B-Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan; T-Lee Freedman. S$212,500.
3–King Louis (Aus), 126, g, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Run For Roses (Aus), by Danehill. O-Royalty Racing Stable; B-Gooree Park Stud Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Ricardo Le Grange. S$107,500.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 1. Winner's Odds: 23.00.
Also Ran: What's New (NZ), Sacred Croix (NZ), Heliosphere (Aus), Beau Geste (Aus), Circuit Mission (Ire), Elite Quarteto (Brz), Glasgow (Aus), Eye Guy (Aus), Quarter Back (Jpn), Super Dynasty (Aus), Destroyer Eclipse (NZ), Nimble (Aus), Magic Wand (Aus). Scratched: Threeandfourpence, Gold Strike (Ire), King's Speech (NZ).
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart.
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