No Raffles Cup for Infantry

 
15 Oct 2017

Trainer Alwin Tan has confirmed that the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred Tavistock gelding Infantry won’t run in the Raffles Cup next Sunday.

 

The winner of the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, the Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) on October 1, came under an injury cloud when he sustained a deep cut to his near hind fetlock during the race itself.

 

The appropriate treatment was given, and even if the Tavistock five-year-old is showing good signs of recovery, Tan has decided, in consultation with the Thai owner Krit Chisatteni, not to run in the 1800m feature.

Infantry did a slow canter under race-rider Manoel Nunes on the Polytrack on Saturday. Tan could not fault the workout but with the Raffles Cup coming up too soon, he preferred to err on the side of caution.

 

“He worked OK yesterday and he is recovering well, but I’m worried that he has missed too many days of work,” Tan said.

 

“It wouldn’t be fair on him to go into a race like the Raffles Cup with such a prep, he would be underdone. He’s too invaluable a horse and it’s not worth risking him for just one race or even the Triple Crown. It’s very sad but we are doing what is in the horse’s best interests.”

 

The clean sweep in the Singapore Triple Crown series made up of the Panasonic Kranji Mile, Raffles Cup and Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) has not been achieved yet. Tan himself came close in 2014 with War Affair taking the first two Legs but coming up short in the Singapore Gold Cup.

 

“We really thought we had the right horse in Infantry who could have a go at history, but his welfare is more important than history,” Tan said.

 

“He will still go for the Gold Cup. I will give him another two weeks to fully recover and I will step up on his work, which will be more on endurance.” - Singapore Turf Club