News

Second Lion City Cup For Zac Spirit

24th Apr 2016

Zac Spirit confirmed his position as one of the best in South East Asia when winning Kranji's premier sprint for the second time on Sunday, the S$800,000 Singapore Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m).

The Flying Spur six-year-old was settled just behind the speed by jockey Vlad Duric and after pushing past favourite Spalato at the top of the straight Zac Spirit sprinted best to lead home an trifecta for Inglis graduates ahead of Emperor Max and Super Winner.

Bred and sold by Newhaven Park, Zac Spirit (Flying Spur x Kidman) was purchased for $140,000 at the 2011 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by his trainer Cliff Brown, who was full of praise for his galloper.

"It's just fantastic. I don't get carried away, but I'm shaking I'm that happy. I've had a lot of good days in racing, but this is the best," said Cliff Brown.

"For what he's been through and for what the Wong's have done allowing me to send him home [to Australia] and that sort of stuff, it's a great day and I'm just so proud of him and my staff. It's a huge team effort and a wonderful thrill," Cliff exclaimed.

Zac Spirit has now earned nearly S$1.7 million for his connections including owner Andy Wong of the Zac Stable, thanks to 11 wins and nine placings from 22 career starts.

The win was Zac Spirit's second in the race, having won the Lion City Cup in 2014, and he was a close nose second last year.

The Wong's allowed Zac Spirit to be sent to Australia for a break between August and November last year and today was only the galloper's second start since returning to Singapore, where he is on course to collect his second Champion Sprinter title in the last three years.

Zac Spirit's dam Kidman has had six foals to race for four winners including Singapore Group 3 winner Zac Influence, which was also bought and trained by Cliff Brown. Kidman had a three-quarter-sister by Redoute's Choice to Zac Spirit last season and is currently in foal to Exceed And Excel.

Other Inglis winners in Singapore (3) and Hong Kong (3) today were:
Murdoch (3g Written Tycoon x Lively Colours) - $6,000 at 2014 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale
Majestic Moments (4g Darci Brahma x In Spain) - $120,000 at 2013 Inglis Ready2Race Sale
Nova Spirit (3g Congrats x Sienna Gold) - $20,000 at 2014 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Care Free Prince (3g Street Sense x Angora) - $200,000 at 2014 Inglis Ready2Race Sale
Friends Of Nanjing (3g Jet Spur x She's The One) – P$37,500 at 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
Solar Hei Hei (4g Churchill Downs x Miss Tabitha) – P$25,000 at 2013 Inglis Ready2Race Sale