A copybook ride from jockey Barend Vorster saw gallant stayer Emperor’s Banquet emerge victorious in the $200,000 Group 3 Fortune Bowl (2000m) on Friday.
A game competitor who seldom lets his connections down as evidenced by his healthy stats of six wins and six placings from 19 starts, the Holy Roman Emperor five-year-old has, however, always found one or two better in feature events. His second to stablemate Quechua in the Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) or his second to Knight’s Command in the Group 3 Woodlands Classic Stakes (2000m) only a month ago, were all glowing credentials of his ability, but could also hang a bridesmaid tag around his neck if he did not buck the trend soon enough.
Given a sweet ride from the start, travelling in third spot behind race-leader Goodpack (Benny Woodworth), Emperor’s Banquet loomed as the winner when he was peeled out three wide at the corner to launch his attack. His Woodlands Classic nemesis Knight’s Command (Manoel Nunes) did well to come from a more rearward spot to truck up right behind and swing out even wider, but about two lengths astern.
Trainer Bruce Marsh’s valiant galloper put in all his might, but Emperor’s Banquet, who had the double-barrelled advantage of the first-run move and four-kilo differential (57kg versus 53kg), was out of reach as he fell in by a neck from a super brave Knight’s Command. Goodpack did well to hang on for third place another 1 ¼ lengths away.
Emperor’s Banquet, who started as the second favourite ($16), ran the 2000m in 2min 3.29secs, which tallied well with the time he ran (2min 3.47secs) in the Woodlands Classic carrying three kilos (56kg) more.
Shaw said Emperor’s Banquet deserved his first Group recognition, but was not so sure about taking on the big guns.
“The weight made the difference. He was five kilo better off Bruce’s horse,” said the South African handler who was at the double having won earlier with Time Odyssey.
“When he took the first run and pinched a couple of lengths on him, I was pretty confident he would win.
“On what he did the last time, I thought he had a good chance of winning today. Barend gave him a great ride and it’s paid off.
“He’s a good honest horse who’s been very good to us, but he would probably be out of his depth in a race like the SIA Cup.”
The $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) is an international race over 2000m that has eluded local gallopers since its inaugural edition in 2000 when Ouzo won for trainer Malcolm Thwaites. This year’s renewal will be run on May 17.
Vorster said he was in the zone from the outset and everything went pretty much to script from barrier to box.
“He jumped really well and I was able to get him in a good spot from the start,” said Vorster.
“I was lucky to hold my position throughout and as we approached the home turn, I went three wide to make sure he got a clear run in the straight.
“Once he saw daylight, he quickened up really good and got away from the rest quite easily.”
Emperor’s Banquet has proven to be a handy moneyspinner for his owners, the Tmen Stable, having now amassed more than $730,000 in prizemoney.
Nunes was not too disappointed with Knight’s Command’s second place, putting down the defeat to the pull in weights as well.
“The weight beat him. He had a lovely run at the back but he just could not quite peg back the winner,” said the Brazilian jockey.
“He was brave in defeat and I was still proud of his run.”
