Aspen You're Awesome

Sometimes in racing luck goes your way - and unfortunately sometimes it does not.

It was a case of the "does not" last start for Aspen when he was blocked every which way he turned at Kranji on Karaka Million night (here in New Zealand).  It was so frustrating to see him run into traffic and brick walls when he was obviously in the form to seize another win.

It's a funny saying (which really doesn't make a lot of sense) but they would call him "a tragedy beaten" ...  probably better to say "a certainty (if there is such a thing) beaten".  Indeed luckless he was.

Wind the clock forward two weeks and it is an entirely different scenario although the players remain the same - Aspen, Manny Nunes and Mark Walker.  After Aspen (who we know as Rado) bumbled the start, there were certainly some owners' nerves rattled but the cool, calm and collected pro that Nunes is, he never panicked.

Settling in about sixth place after recovering well, it was steady as you go on the long course B turf track over 1400m.  Turning for home, he was not to be denied this weekend!  The son of Alamosa showed a terrific turn of foot to claim victory in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C SW 1400m by half a length.

Te Akau trained Clutha Lad also posted an eye-catching run when third in the same event.  It was his second race since a long lay off so it is terrific to see him returning to form for his connections.

Both horses were purchased by David Ellis from the Karaka Sale - Aspen who cost $170,000 from the 2012 Premier Sale was Group 1 placed before heading to our Singapore stable.  We have always held him in high regard and he looks set now to follow a path to the $1.1 million Singapore Derby in July all going well.  He has raced five times, winning twice in Singapore earning stakes of $76,590.

Clutha Lad is a great story too - the son of Thorn Park cost David Ellis just $36,000 from the 2011 Select Sale and has raced in Singapore 20 times - notching up three wins, and 10 2nd, 3rd or 4th placings - for prize money of $153,866.