Whenever there is a party at the races, there is every chance the Premier Racing Partnerships would be right in the mix.
From Halloween-themed soirees to beach parties wearing board shorts and suntan oil, the innovative Singapore-based horse racing syndication are known to throw a good trackside do every now and then just to bring racing and fun-loving people together for a good time at the races.
This time, it is the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix that will form the backdrop to the cocktail party they are organising at the Committee Box on Friday night as part of a horse racing slash F1 racing event, where horsepower of two kinds will spark up an exciting weekend of speed over good food and drinks.
“The Singapore F1 weekend is a big event and is a great occasion to bring our members and their friends together while enjoying the races at the same time,” said Josh McLoughlan (pictured above), Premier’s bloodstock consultant.
“Our F1 weekend will start with the Carbine Club lunch on Friday, followed by our cocktail party at Kranji on the same night.
“Then on Saturday we have a stable tour in the morning and of course, the F1 Grand Prix itself on Sunday.
“We are expecting 180 guests at the Committee Box on Friday night with around 60 guests flying in from Australia. Our members are bringing lots of friends, some of them horse owners as well, and not to forget one of the highlights of the night: Our four AFL (Australian Football League) special guests.”
Heading the list of their guest stars is one of Aussie Rules football’s former greats Robert ‘Big Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, also an active horse owner since the late 1990s, along with current players Dane Swan (also a horse owner), Dustin Martin and Brent Guerra.
While such star power will guarantee a great time on Friday night, McLoughlan hopes the Premier Racing Stable runners will kick some goals on the pitch too, not only to raise the roof even more, but also for a more personal reason.
“Three of the owners in Run It Twice, including me, are celebrating their birthdays tomorrow! He’s running in the last race and I can tell you the party will go wild if he wins,” said McLoughlan.
Other than the Bradbury’s Luck debut winner who is having his second start in the Class 4 race over 1200m, the Premier Racing Stable has a good spread across the nine-race programme, namely newcomer What Iff, Marine Treasure (half share), Fast Edition and no fewer than three gallopers in Race 4, a Class 4 Polytrack race over 1800m, Lika Tiger, Meaisin and Xzuberance.
“Xzuberance ran well at his last start and with no weight on his back, he’ll be a chance whereas Lika Tiger is an unknown quantity over this trip,” said McLoughlan.
“He is not without ability but he’s such a tricky horse, and needs things to pan out his way. Anyway, a lot will depend on the tempo of the race.
“Run It Twice is probably our best chance, but win or lose, the most important thing is to get another great social experience here with our members and guests, and this is the best week of the year to have it.”
