Stenmark Superior in Singapore

Aided by a drop in grade, Stenmark (6 g Medaglia d’Oro – Scandiva, by Fastnet Rock) won the S$50,000 Class 4 1200 metres (turf) on Saturday 28 July at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM and syndicated by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM for Te Akau's Singapore stable, Stenmark brought strong course/distance stats to the event and Te Akau Singapore trainer Donna Logan was expecting him to finish strongly as a top four chance.

Although drawn wide (10), Stenmark and jockey Bruno Queiroz mustered from the gate to find a reasonable position, three wide in midfield, angled clear turning for home with 400m to run and quickened appreciably to reel in the winner.

It was a top performance by the four time winner, who has now earned $236,514 in prize money, and he certainly raced right up to the grand order in which he presented.

On Good4 footing, Stenmark ran 1200 metres in 1:10.1 and paid $9.40 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

It was the second week in a row that Logan has won the last race on the programme, after Te Akau Ben (Tavistock) took out the S$50,000 Class 4 1400 metres (turf) on 21 July. 

“He (Stenmark) had to carry 59-kilos, but was back in Class 4 for the first time since June 2022 when he beat Webster (Showcasing) over 1200 metres,” Logan said.

“He had placed five times and finished in the minors on numerous occasions in Class 3, while continuing to win good prize money, but it just shows he can still get the job done against a slightly softer field.

“His last couple of runs were on yielding (rain-affected) ground which he doesn’t enjoy and it was much better footing for him this time.

“Bruno (Queiroz) was riding him for the third time, including a second, so he knew what he was capable of and rode him accordingly.

“He still showed that he’s got some zip in his legs when he asked him to quicken in the straight. 

“He’s a horse that can show plenty of ability when things go his way, and I was very pleased for the owners in the manner that he won.”