South African-bred galloper Lizarre did his chances of gaining a start in next month’s International Group 1 $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2000m no harm with his victory in the Group 3 $150,000 Admiralty Classic Stakes over 1600m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Relishing the fast pace, Lizarre, ridden by Barend Vorster, scored by a length over Always Certain (Manoel Nunes) with Born To Fly (John Sundradas) a neck back in third place.
On a fast pace, Lizarre ran 1 min 34.77 secs for the journey on the yielding track.
The victory of Lizarre was his second Group 3 success of 2013 having also tasted success in the New Year Cup over 1900m on the Polytrack on January 1.
Lizarre was certainly overdue for another feature race success. In his five runs following that New Year Cup success, the six-year-old had been placed five times (including four seconds) in Group 3 company over distances ranging from 1600m to 2000m.
Vorster had Lizarre settled in second place behind the solid speed that was set by Keep Away (Sam Subien) which had been hard ridden from his wide barrier to come across and lead.
Lizarre certainly appreciated the solid tempo and sat two lengths off Keep Away. There was another two lengths break to Black Ice (Corey Brown) and Born To Fly who were next in line.
Turning for home Keep Away still held sway from Lizarre and Black Ice. Joao Moreira on What Now, which had settled at the tail, was hooked to the extreme outside where he unleashed a powerful burst to move into second place by the 200m mark.
Lizarre kept responding to Vorster’s urgings while What Now began to feel the pinch. Honest campaigner Always Certain, who was outsprinted turning for home, raised another effort to cut down Born To Fly on the line for the second prize.
A former Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) placegetter, Lizarre has had his share of injury woes but is racing in career best form at present.
In a masterstroke, trainer Patrick Shaw elected to bypass last Friday night’s Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2000m with the gelding.
“Pat didn’t want to take on the top horses at level weights so close to the SIA Cup,” said trainer Pat Shaw’s assistant Ricardo Le Grange.
“Pat was keen to keep him at the mile before the SIA Cup and keep him a little bit fresh.
“When the rain came this morning and the track was posted as yielding it played into our hands and our confidence was enhanced.”
Le Grange added that the fast pace set by Keep Away was a plus.
“It was important to have him on the pace today,” said Le Grange. “He likes to keep rolling in his races and he doesn’t have a big sprint.
“Keep Away set a nice pace for him today and he was strong all the way to the finish.”
Vorster, who notched a winning double for the afternoon, said he was happy to see Keep Away in the race as he is a noted front runner.
“Keep Away is a natural leader and I was happy to see him in the race,” said Vorster. “I knew he would set a solid tempo and my bloke just loves that sort of tempo.
“He’s getting back to his form and he won’t be stressed out going into the big race.
“It was a good choice of Pat’s to keep him to the 1600m and keep some freshness in his legs.
“The 2000m is going to suit him as he’s got the stamina to run out the 2000m as we have seen with his placing in the Gold Cup a couple of years ago.
“It was a very good win by him today and that will do his confidence some good as well.”
Lizarre, a six-year-old by Jet Master from Leading Dame, has been a wonderful money spinner for EMMA Stable. He has won four of his 19 starts since his arrival and with a further nine minor placings has now won more than $800,000 in prizemoney.
Vorster completed a four-timer for the afternoon when he landed Damo, prepared by Shaw, in the final event, the $75,000 Rocket Man 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 1400m.
His two other winners came for Bruce Marsh in the $55,000 Que Expression 2003 Class 4 Stakes aboard Stanzout and then on Knight's Command in the $55,000 Why Be 2007 Class 4 Stakes over 1600m.
