April 27, 2016Newhaven Park Bred and Sold Singapore Superstar
April 25 – Newhaven Park have been in hot form this year having bred and raced Australian Group I winners Peeping and English, their run of phenomenal success flowing on to Singapore on Sunday where the $800,000 Lion City Cup Sng Gr 1 was won for the second time by Australian bred six year-old Zac Spirit.
The Champion Sprinter of Singapore in 2014, the son of Flying Spur looked to have the world at his feet before injury forced him off the scene.
Zac Spirit was diagnosed with a knee chip after an ordinary run in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint. It was a big blow for not just his trainer Cliff Brown, but also his owners Andy and Genni Wong of Zac Stable.
The setback was deemed not career-threatening and Brown’s suggestion to send Zac Spirit back to Australia to recuperate proved to be a winning move.The gelding has come back fully healed, and though obviously a little burly, has taken little time in shaping back to battle-ready form.
After a cracking second first-up to Emperor Max in the second Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) three weeks ago, the second-up run in the one that mattered the most was right on the money.
Zac Spirit did best in a thrilling run to the line to win the 1200 metre sprint by a length in a smart 1min 8.45sces, just 0.61 second the course record established by Sacred Kingdom seven years ago.
“I don’t normally get carried away; at least I don’t think I do, but I have to say I was shaky when this happened today,” said Cliff Brown.
“I’ve had a few good days before, but this is the best. I’m so glad for the Wongs who have stood by me from Day 1 when I decided to send Zac back to Australia.
“There was a lot of work to bring him back and that goes across the board, from (assistant-trainer) Timmy (Fitzsimmons), Chris (Bock) to the syces and the track rider who rides him every day. It’s a huge team effort.
“I thought he was too far back in the race, but when I saw him improve before the home turn, I was like “Crikey! He really is travelling!”.
“It’s amazing what he’s done. He’s won the Lion City Cup two years ago and he’s won it again, after injury.”
A $140,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Newhaven draft, Zac Spirit is from well related Kidman and was snapped up by his trainer Cliff Brown, who also trained his stakes-winning three-quarter brother Zac Influence.
Zac Spirit has seldom missed the mark winning 10 races and placings nine times from 21 starts.
A stakes-placed Quest for Fame (GB) mare from the family of outstanding racehorse and sire Zeditave, Kidman has a weanling filly by Redoute’s Choice and was covered last year by Exceed and Excel.
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