Classy New Zealand sprinter Coup Align finally lived up to his glittering resume with a slashing win at his fourth Kranji start on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Boasting a proud record of 12 wins from 22 starts in New Zealand, including two Group 3 wins and a third placing in the country's most prestigious sprint, the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m), Coup Align made all the running in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 97 race (1000m) on Polytrack to score by 1 ¾ lengths from Mr Timely (Jose Verenzuela) with Primera Espada (Joao Moreira) third another 1 ½ lengths away.
Owned by prominent New Zealand owner Ray Coupland, Coup Align started as the third favourite ($22) in the small seven-horse field and ran the 1000m in 59.01 seconds.
Ridden by apprentice Shafiq Rusof, the Align six-year-old sprang out of his barrier No 1 to show the way from Powerful Tree (Danny Beasley) with Fantastic Owners (Benny Woodworth) and Primera Espada spread across the track in that order.
Powerful Tree, who dominated Coup Align, at his last run and was sent out the $11 favourite on Sunday, led the charge upon straightening in a bid to vanquish his runner-up again , but the 2.5kg weight pull told this time when Coup Align pinched a two-length break on him.
Coup Align kept up a relentless gallop under Shafiq's urgings racing away for his first Singapore success. He shortened stride a little in the concluding stages, but he easily staved off a late charge from Mr Timely.
“He's taken a while to acclimatise here. He's dry-coated but I must say he's improving every month,” said Walker.
“He's still not 100% at his best. If he can regain his New Zealand form, he should be very useful to us.
“I don't have any big plans for him just yet as I would prefer him to fully settle in first. He was a 1000m specialist back home but I think he can step up to 1200m here.”
Walker, who was at a race-to-race double having saddled the previous winner in Zac Detonator in a $35,000 Class 5 race over 2200m, said Coup Align's win also helped him renew old ties.
“It's very satisfying to win a race for Ray. I've trained many Group winners for him back home and it's nice to get one winner for hjm here,” said Walker.
“The two best horses I trained for him were Darci Brahma and Princess Coup. They were real champions.”
Shafiq said Coup Align's blistering natural speed went a long way towards scoring his first win in Singapore.
“Boss just told me to use his early speed to lead and the horse did the rest,” said Shafiq.
“He's a free galloper and there is not much point in restraining him. By the home turn I knew he could not lose.”
The win extended Shafiq's lead in the Singapore apprentice jockey's championship to 30 wins, 13 clear of second-placed Koh Teck Huat.
