Singapore Sling wins Hong Kong Classic Cup

There will be no sweep of the 4-year-old Classic Series this year in Hong Kong.

Singapore Sling got a perfect trip under Chad Schofield and won the $1.278 million Hong Kong Classic Cup, the second leg of the series, by 1 1/4 lengths Sunday at Sha Tin. Singapore Sling had finished second in the first leg, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, while that race’s winner, Nothingilikemore, blew the break Sunday, raced last for much of the trip, and could only finish fourth.

Exultant, who had been fourth in the Classic Mile, plugged away for second Sunday, coming home a half-length better than the pacesetting The Golden Age. It was another length back to Nothingilikemore, the strong favorite in the Classic Cup under Joao Moreira.

When the starting gate opened for the 1,800-meter race, Nothingilikemore’s legs splayed outward, and the gelding got away at the rear of the 12-horse field. Moreira saved ground all the way, and Nothingilikemore came with a run past the 500-meter mark, but he had too much to do.

Singapore Sling, meanwhile, broke alertly and settled into the garden spot, racing on the fence from fourth with only the pacesetter directly in front of him. Schofield, scoring his biggest Hong Kong win, tipped a few paths off the fence after hitting the home straight, and Singapore Sling took care of business, sling-shotting to the front for a decisive score. He was timed in 1:46.99 over “good” ground with a closing 400 meters in a solid 22.77 seconds.

Rapper Dragon, who died last summer after suffering a severe injury, swept the 4-year-old Classic Series in 2017 and will remain the only horse with that accomplishment. But Schofield, who won four races Sunday, and Tony Millard, who trains Singapore Sling, expressed confidence their horse will stay the 2,000 meters of the Hong Kong Derby next month and win two races in the series. Singapore Sling, a South African-bred gelding by Philanthropist, was making only his fourth Hong Kong start and has progressed rapidly during the ongoing season.

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