Jimmy Rea-lly Too Good

Wow Jimmy Rea - entrusted to Te Akau by by Kevin Hickman is scorching up the track in Singapore - way too good on Friday - yet again .... the Singapore Turf Club reports ...

Race-favourite Jimmy Rea did not disappoint when he romped home from behind in a trademark late surge to win the $100,000 Kranji Stakes B race (1200m) on Friday.

Comfortably keeping pace with the pack a little worse than midfield just one off the rails, the Manoel Nunes-ridden galloper bided his time to make his move.

With the final bend looming and a wall of horses in front of him, the Mark Walker-trained gelding was switched five wide to the outside in order to have a last crack at the leaders, and from then on, it was clear Jimmy Rea ($9) meant business.

Jimmy Rea (Manoel Nunes) pulls away to an easy win in Race 9 on Friday.

The rest of the field seemed to stand still as his powerful run took him past everyone within seconds. Once he overtook race leaders Smart People (Nooresh Juglall) and Klever Man (John Powell) and got his nose in front, there was no catching him.

Jimmy Rea crossed the line in 1min 09.04secs, with second-placed Smart People a good 2 ¼ lengths away. Bogart came in third a further nose behind.

”He ran really well. He probably backed up too soon in that 1400m race (CECF Singapore Prestige Classic on March 22), but the prizemoney in this race was too tempting,” said Walker.

“We did not run him in the first two Legs of the 3YO Series. The mile of the Guineas is a question mark, but we will be taking our chances.

“It will be a step-up for him, but I believe he is built to be a Guineas horse. He deserves a chance, especially from a low draw and if he gets a smother. Anyway, we'll find out.”

The $500,000 Group 1 Singapore Guineas race (1600m) is the third Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge and will be run on May 15.

Nunes, who has been the regular partner of Jimmy Rea for five wins from six rides, rode a copybook race, but sat on the fence a little as far as his stamina over the mile was concerned.

“He is a fast horse. He really sailed home today and was definitely too good for the field,” said the Brazilian rider.

“I feel he is most comfortable running 1200m to 1400m. Not too sure how he will do at a distance longer than that.”

With that fifth success, Jimmy Rea has brought his earnings in excess of $240,000 for his owner Kevin Hickman.