IT'S SUPER EASY AGAIN
Reigning Singapore Horse of the Year SUPER EASY last night emulated Rocket Man in being crowned the circuit's champion galloper for the second successive year.
The retired equine star beat a strong field for the coveted title, including stablemate Super Ninetyseven and top mare Better Life, both champions in their own right.
World-beater Rocket Man was Singapore's champion horse in 2010 and 2011.
Owned by champion owner (by stakes won) Joy N Happiness Stable and trained by Michael Freedman, Super Easy was the only contender with a Group 1 double last year, winning the Lion City Cup over 1,200m and the Patron's Bowl over 1,600m.
From three other starts, he was third in the International Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint, Group 2 Stewards' Cup and Group 3 Merlion Trophy.
STUD CAREER
Unfortunately, the well-bred New Zealand entire had his career cut short with a ruptured tear in his suspensory ligament after winning the Patron's Bowl last June.
The $2.1 million stakes earner has since taken up a stud career.
Super Easy was also voted Champion Sprinter.
Stablemate Super Ninetyseven, who raced 10 times last season for five wins, including the Group 1 Raffles Cup and the Group 3 Committee's Prize and recorded two of his wins in record time, walked away with Champion Miler title.
Like Super Easy, Better Life also received two awards - Champion Four-Year-Old and Champion Stayer.
Owned by Suzuka Racing Stable and trained by Hideyuki Takaoka, the retired mare raced only four times last year but captured the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby and the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
The 2013 Singapore Racing Awards ceremony was held at the Royal Pavilion Ballroom of The Regent Hotel last night.
The voting panel comprised the Singapore Turf Club's handicappers and members of the print and broadcast media.
THE 2013 ROLL OF HONOUR
• Horse of the YearSUPER EASY
• Champion Two-Year-OldWAR AFFAIR
• Champion Three-Year-OldSTEPITUP
• Champion Four-Year-OldBETTER LIFE
• Champion Older HorseLIZARRE
• Champion SprinterSUPER EASY
• Champion MilerSUPER NINETYSEVEN
• Champion StayerBETTER LIFE
• Champion Polytrack HorseDAVIDE
• Most Improved HorseSTREET LEGAL
• Racing Media Award (English)GARY CRISPE
• Racing Media Award (Chinese)KUAH SIEW HONG
• Champion TrainerLAURIE LAXON
• Champion JockeyJOAO MOREIRA
• Champion ApprenticeA'ISISUHAIRI KASIM
• Leading Owner by number of winsFRED CRABBIA
• Leading Owner by stakes wonJOY N HAPPINESS STABLE
Smart Chief can be third-time lucky
LEADING JOCKEYS
1st 2nd 3rd
M Nunes (right) 23 25 20
D Beasley 14 10 8
A Munro 13 10 15
I Santana 12 7 8
C Brown 10 13 14
J Powell 9 5 2
L Allpress 8 8 7
SMART CHIEF is improving with every run and looks set to win in his third start in Race 2 at Kranji tonight.
The Bruce Marsh-trained four-year-old stepped up on his debut 4¼-length fifth to beat all but the exciting newcomer Turangawaewae last time out on Jan 24.
The New Zealand-bred sat handy in his debut and led in his last start.
The two beneficial runs must have topped him up for a win in the Initiation event over 1,200m on the Polytrack.
His gallop on Tuesday with race-jockey Corey Brown astride was good.
As his 11 rivals look just mediocre, he should open winning accounts today.
Forecast him with Rocket Panda, placed thrice before his last-start 11th.
LEADING TRAINERS
1st 2nd 3rd
HW Tan (right) 13 10 11
C Brown 11 8 10
L Laxon 10 10 10
H Takaoka 10 9 11
B Dean 10 2 7
M Freedman 9 10 14
S Burridge 9 6 3
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