Karaka Trifecta in Jumbo Jet Trophy

Exciting galloper Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) scored the sixth win in his seven-start career in Sunday’s Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) at Kranji, leading home a trifecta of Karaka graduates in the S$200,000 race.

Countofmontecristo was bought for $57,500 at the 2015 Ready to Run Sale, while runner-up Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) cost $30,000 at the 2014 Select Sale and $120,000 at the Ready to Run Sale, and third-placed Alibi (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was a $90,000 purchase at the 2014 Ready to run Sale.

Ridden by Alan Munro for trainer Michael Clements and owner Joe Giovanni, Countofmontecristo was trapped three-wide in the early part of the race before taking up an uncustomary leading role. He took control of the race with a powerful kick in the home straight, then withstood the late challenges of Debt Collector and Alibi to win by half a length.

“He’s an absolute superstar,” assistant trainer Michael White said. “It was his first time running at weight-for-age level. It was as good a race you would ever get, and he was also racing against his natural pattern because of his wide barrier.

“He didn’t win the Singapore Guineas, which was not run to suit him, but that’s the past now. We will now set him for the Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup. The Gold Cup is not quite on the radar for him as it would be a big ask at the handicap, but the Derby is definitely for him next year.”

Countofmontecristo has now had seven starts for six wins, and the Jumbo Jet Trophy was his third victory at stakes level. He had previously won the Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m). His only defeat came when he finished third in the Singapore Guineas (1600m). His prizemoney earnings are now in excess of S$650,000.

Countofmontecristo was bred in Taranaki by Heather, Peter and Tom Crofskey, and was offered by Kiltannon Stables at the Ready to Run Sale, where he was bought by Vermair Racing.