Timely Stakes Win for Weanling Sale Graduate Infantry (NZ)

With the National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka less than a month away, weanling graduate Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock) was an impressive and very timely winner of Sunday’s S$200,000 Listed JBBA Moonbeam Vase (1800m) at Kranji.

The gelding had already won six races and more than S$560,000 in prize-money, dwarfing his Weanling Sale purchase price of $7,000. But he went into Sunday’s race with a point to prove following a disappointing last-start fourth. He emphatically redeemed himself.

Rider Manoel Nunes, who blamed a slow pace for Infantry’s previous defeat, slotted his mount into midfield behind a much stronger pace on Sunday.

Infantry and the race favourite, fellow Karaka graduate Gilt Complex (NZ) (Gold Centre), made their moves at the same time and raced clear to fight out the finish. At the end of an exciting battle, Infantry got the better of Gilt Complex by a head.

“To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of confidence about him going for the first time over 1800 metres, but this horse has such a big heart,” said trainer Alwin Tan.

“I was a bit disappointed with his last run. He raced a bit keen and that was why I took off the visors today.

“I would say he is the best horse in my yard at the moment. He will be going for the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge now.”

The Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge is made up of the Stewards’ Cup (1400m) on May 28, the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 18 and the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 9.

Infantry has now won seven of his 17 starts, placing in another six for prize-money earnings in excess of S$700,000 for owners the Kajorn Petch Racing No. 2 Stable.

A full-brother to the five-race winner and Listed-placed Night Nurse (NZ), Infantry was bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. Offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2013 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, Infantry was bought by Mrs A Rutten for $7,000.