Last Ever Te Akau Singapore Saturday Preview

Te Akau Singapore has six horses entered on Saturday 5 October at Kranji - the final race meeting ever as the STC closes down - the demise of racing in the jurisdiction has been heartbreaking for all concerned.

5:50 p.m. R3 3 Te Akau Ben (7 g Tavistock – Danalaga) – CC Wong; he cops barrier 8 of 9 in the S$130,000 Class 3 1600 metres on the turf and carries 56kg. He brings very strong form to his final Singapore contest before heading to Malaysia to race. While he is having his first start at the mile, he has won five races over 1400 metres. 

6:30 p.m. R4 10 Charminton (6 g Charm Spirit – Sarzana) – Manoel Nunes; he unfortunately drew barrier 15 of 16 in the S$85,000 Class 4 1200 metres on the turf and carries 53.5kg. He has been racing in solid fashion, placing in three of his last four starts, and has good upside in this - he brings good stats to the race, has the top rider aboard, and if he can navigate the wide gate (15), he can deliver a top four finish before he too travels to Malaysia for his future racing.

7:10 p.m. R5 8 China Pearl (4 g Ardrossan – Indian Sky) – Blaike McDougall; he drew barrier 14 of 16 in the S$45,000 Class 5 1600 metres on the turf and carries 57kg. He has been lightly raced this season and is another that has fallen foul of the draw gods (14), making it a tough task for him. 

7:50 p.m. R6 13 Rocky (6 g El Roca – Anthology) – Carlos Henrique; he drew barrier 4 of 13 in the S$85,000 Class 4 2000 metres on the turf and carries 50kg. While he is drawn (4) to receive an economical trip, he is racing out of necessity out of his rightful grade and yet to win past 1600 metres. 

9:50 p.m. R9 3 Axel (9 g Darci Brahma – Josephines Fortune) – Blaike McDougall; he drew barrier 4 of 16 in the S$85,000 Class 4 1400 metres on the turf and carries 55.5kg. He is the stable's elder statesman who always tries hard, and while he has been out of form recently, any rain advantages him and he is handily drawn (4). Following this last race, we are thrilled to have found a safe and beautiful retirement home for him, as he so richly deserves. That's him in the main picture.

10:40 p.m. R10 13 Istataba (6 m Treasure Beach – Coordenada) – Carlos Henrique; she drew barrier 7 of 16 in the S$1.3 million Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m on turf and carries 50kg. She finished third in the corresponding race last year to same race rival Lim’s Kosciuszko, and her build-up has been with this aim again.  This will be the final race ever staged in Singapore.  The chapter is now closed on the rich and vibrant history of a once great racing nation.