Military Attack wins Singapore race

Dubai: For the second time in less than a month, Godolphin felt the sting of the mighty Hong Kong galloper Military Attack when Hunter’s Light could only finish sixth behind him in the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup (Gr1) at Kranji on Sunday.

In what was virtually a repeat of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (G1) at Sha Tin in April, Military Attack showed why he is considered the best middle distance horse in the Far East when he demolished a high-calibre international field to land the prestigious prize for Hong Kong-based Australian handler John Moore.

Hunter’s Light, trained by former Cup winning-trainer Saeed Bin Surour, looked to have every chance in the run to the judge but could not find the acceleration to match the front runners, and had to be content with a sixth place finish under Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa.

“He had a fair trip. He had a lovely position, but he was hanging we me in the straight,” said the jockey, who was also aboard Godolphin’s Sajjhaa who finished fourth behind Military Attack in Hong Kong.

Military Attack, who was formerly trained in Britain by John Hills, was ridden by Australian jockey Zac Purton, who could even afford himself the luxury of standing up high in the irons as his horse effortless cruised past the finish line well clear of his rivals.

Dan And Excel, the pacemaker in the race led for a fair bit and did well to stay on for second under South African jockey Wiechong Marwing, while Michael Freedman’s Mawingo was third and Luzarre fourth.

A son of Eclipse (G1) and Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner Oratorio, Military Attack was notching an incredible fifth victory for the season and third for Purton who was struggled the control his emotions for his latest victory.

“To do what he has done against that class of field, it’s scary to think how much he has improved in the last three or four months,” said the jockey. “I would have been happy just to win, but to blow them away like that is a phenomenal performance.

“All night horses near the speed have been favoured. I let Pastorius come in front of me at the 1500-metre as I thought he was the horse to follow, but I could see at the 700 that he was gone. Then when we quickened up, it was over.”

Moore, who was notching the biggest international victory of his career, revealed that Military Attack could head to Royal Ascot. “This was an emphatic win and I’m absolutely ecstatic. I’ve got the monkey off my back. Thanks to the Hong Kong team and thanks to the team here,” said the handler.

“There is Royal Ascot and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes but I would love to win a Group One in Australia.

“I shall talk to the owner and consider giving him a break and then getting him ready for the Cox Plate.”

Earlier, Hong Kong’s Lucky Nine ran out a compelling winner of KrisFlyer International Sprint (G1).