Zoustar might be best known for his sprinter milers, but in Singapore his reputation rides with the Champion 3YO of 2019 Top Knight, who claimed another big prize at Kranji on Saturday when taking out the Singapore Derby Sng G1.
Top Knight wins the Singapore Derby - image Singapore Turf Club
Prepared by Michael Clements and ridden by Vlad Duric, Top Knight charged home from last to score a thrilling last stride win.
“Top Knight was exactly where I wanted him to be. He saw them all, but was not too far behind, it was a compact field,” said Michael Clements.
“We always felt he’d be happier with the extra distance. At his last couple of runs, we didn’t see him at his best as he clearly wanted more ground.
“In saying this, I would say the 1800m seems to be about his limit. At this stage, I don’t think he’s a 2000m horse, even if we might be inclined to consider running him in a race like the Singapore Gold Cup later on in the year.
“Vlad also rode a great race. He knows that horse so well, and timed his run to perfection.”
A $130,000 purchase by Krit Chittaseni from the Nolen Racing draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale, Top Knight advances his record to eight wins and seven placings from 17 starts.
Bred by Elswick Stud and sold by them as a yearling for $65,000 at Magic Millions Gold Coast March, Top Knight is the seventh and final foal of the pensioned Nero Cavallo, a half-sister by Charnwood Forest (IRE) to Group II winner Dynamic Love and stakes-winner Key Bar Nights.
Top Knight is one of 14 stakes-winner for Widden stud’s champion sire Zoustar, who stands this spring at a fee of $121,000.
