Singapore Surprise for Kiwi Owners

Media Release - Monday October 23
New Zealand owner Graham Mackie and his wife, well-known racing photographer Trish Dunell, have once again enjoyed elite level success in Singapore with Gilt Complex landing an unexpected win in the S$700,000 Raffles Cup (1800m) on Sunday night.

The pair were regularly in the winners' circle care of their homebred star Spalato, the winner of 10 of his 17 starts and nearly S$1.7 million in prizemoney.

Gilt ComplexBut the win of Gilt Complex was a shock for punters and owners alike, with the son of Gold Centre starting at 50-1 for Australian conditioner Cliff Brown.

"Neither of us were there," said Dunell from a rain-soaked Te Rapa on Monday. "We would have gone had we had another runner with a decent chance, but there were some pretty big race meetings here in New Zealand this weekend."

Ridden by Harry Kasim, Gilt Complex sat on speed throughout and won by nearly two-lengths.

"We thought he was a going to be a good light-weight chance in the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) last year, as that's his distance, but he just failed to make the field," Dunell said.

Gilt Complex will get his chance in this year's S$1.35 million Singapore Gold Cup on November 12 as he looks to add to his career prizemoney of S$800,000.

"I am a bit scared that he will get too many points and get weighted out of it," she said.

While Dunell bred Spalato, Gilt Complex was a relatively modest yearling purchase.

"We asked Anna Scott to buy some cheapies for us at the Karaka Sales and he was bought for $10,000 at the Festival Sale. He's out of a Zabeel mare and I love that. He was a beautiful type," she said.

"Anna broke him in, but she got the opportunity to train in Malaysia soon afterwards so we sent him to Shaun Clotworthy where he won his first trial very easily as an immature two-year-old.

"We realised he had potential and sent him to Singapore. "

Originally trained by John O'Hara, Gilt Complex later joined the stable of Cliff Brown.

Gilt Complex has finished in the first three on 15 occasions from 25 starts.

"We will definitely be up there for the Gold Cup," Dunell said. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.
Keeneland September Concludes with Record $531.5 Million in Sales
The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed Saturday having achieved a defining industry milestone. Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide. Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand
Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.
Written Tycoon Filly Bursts into NZ 1000 Guineas Contention
The Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) was expected to be the weekend’s key pointer for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), but a spectacular performance on the Ellerslie undercard had its own impact on fixed-odds betting for the Christchurch classic.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 21
Here is the full list of 66 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
2025 National Thoroughbred Week Launched
National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions.