Friday's $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 2200m was billed as the last chance saloon for a ticket to the Longines Singapore Gold Cup on Sunday week, but it was the non-nominated Maraeti who upset all calculations.
The Cliff Brown duo of Steadfast Warrior and Samurai Phoenix and the Bruce Marsh-trained King Faalcon all needed to boost their ratings to sneak into the final field for the Group 1 race over 2200m on November 13, but it was $50 shot Maraeti who stole their thunder by making every post a winning one.
Well rated by jockey John Powell in front, the New Zealand-bred by Align caught his eight rivals napping as he bowled along at a moderate pace before sprinting away inside the last 300m to withstand a spirited challenge from another outsider, Qualitase (Joao Moreira), by half-a-length.
Gold Cup hopeful Samurai Phoenix (Danny Beasley) had every chance but could not quite pick up the winner when it mattered. Stablemate and favourite Steadfast Warrior (Saimee Jumaat) never threatened to wind up fourth a further three lengths and a quarter away while King Faalcon (Vlad Duric) finished sixth.
The winning time was 2min 19.83secs.
Winning trainer Laurie Laxon said Maraeti was a good and honest stayer whenever he had things his way.
“Vlad did well to ride him on the rails because that was where the better ground was. He is always tough to run down when he is left alone in front,” said the Kiwi conditioner.
“He is getting better with age that horse. He beat some Gold Cup contenders in that race as well.
“But no, I didn't nominate him for the Gold Cup as I didn't think his rating was high enough.
“I will back him up in another 2200m race next Sunday, though.”
Powell, who was at his first ride aboard the Silver Fern Racing-owned galloper said the race panned out beautifully for him.
“They left me alone and I was able to rate him in front,” said the Australian rider.
“He settled very well for me and it was a good solid staying effort. It worked out all good.”
Maraeti was at his sixth win from 39 starts and has amassed prizemoney close to $340,000.
