Singapore’s elite sprint races sit within the crosshairs of trainer James Peter’s after the China Horse Club’s imposing grey Grand Koonta reaffirmed his status as a leading speedster is the Asian racing center. No more than 69 seconds was needed for the gelding to demonstrate that the disappointment of last November’s SDG250,000 G2 E.W. Barker Trophy was well behind him.
James had freshened Grand Koonta up and prepped him with a trial ahead of Saturday’s SGD100,000 Kranji Stakes A (1200m). On paper, the biggest hurdle was barrier 10 in a field of 12 but that obstacle was overcome with an explosive start as soon as the gates sprung open.
Brazilian jockey Ruan Maia was faultless, riding a positive race and sliding his charge in behind the speed to ensure he was within striking distance throughout the contest. After some narrow misses and bad luck in stakes races in 2020, James would have been ecstatic to watch such a confident display. When required, Maia moved off heels, pointed Grand Koonta towards the finishing line and the grey charged away to win as he liked. His prize money in Singapore now stands at just short of SGD400,000.
“It was a fantastic performance, [Grand Koonta] was outstanding,” said China Horse Club’s Michael Smith.
“James [Peters] had him spot on and Ruan Maia gave him a peach of a ride getting him into the perfect position behind the leaders with cover before putting pay to them in the straight.
“There isn’t a suitable race for him in the program book and right now the Singapore Turf Club has only released its programme through March. Grand Koonta is explosive fresh so we will give him a freshen up and target the feature sprints as they arise throughout 2021.”
Grand Koonta’s triumph came 24 hours after China Horse Club’s Swift Verdict raced away for a dominant five-length win in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden at Dundalk in Ireland. The well-bred performer has long hinted at an ability to stay and is likely to be positioned to demonstrate this ability as 2021 rolls on.
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