News

Singapore Group 1 to Inglis’ Speed Baby

26th Jun 2011

Speed Baby asserted himself as one of Asia’s top racehorses when taking out the S$500,000 Group 1 Patron’s Bowl in Singapore today.

Purchased by C P Beh from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at Easter, SPEED BABY ($280,000 2008 Easter, 4g Fastnet Rock-Twisted Heart) appreciated today’s drier track at Kranji to defeat last season’s Champion Singapore 3yo Better Than Ever in a driving finish by a neck.

Speed Baby started his career in Malaysia, winning six of his first eight starts including a seven length romp in the RM$700,000 Malaysian Group 1 Coronation Cup under the care of trainer Kevin Coetzee, before Malaysia’s top jockey Azhar Ismail convinced the galloper’s owners, the Eastern Stable, to chase the more lucrative prize money on offer in Singapore.

Having just his third race start in Singapore under new trainer Steven Burridge, today’s victory has stamped Speed Baby as a serious contender for next month’s S$1million Singapore Derby (2000m).

"He’s so relaxed and it shows in his racing pattern. I think he can get the 2000m," said Burridge.

"Anyway, that’s why he’s here. He won six from eight in Malaysia and he’s obviously good enough to have a go at the better races down here.

"He cost the owner A$280,000 as a yearling. He’s certainly lived up to his price tag."

On the back of an impressive display by Sichuan Success in Hong Kong last weekend Speed Baby becomes the fourth Group 1 winner by Fastnet Rock that has been purchased from Australasia’s leading sale, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, following Wanted, Irish Lights & Rock Classic.

The 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale will be held on April 10 to 12 next year, again perfectly positioned between the Australian Turf Club’s Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill Gardens and Derby meeting at Royal Randwick.

Picture c/- Singapore Turf Club