SINGAPORE THRILLERS

Despite a boilover in the Group One KrisFlyer International in Singapore with the Tyreel Stud bred, Rocket Man, missing out by a smidge to Green Birdie, it was a fairly good couple of days for Aussies – particularly Eliza Park ‘graduates’.
The Cliff Brown trained Thrilla in Manila got the ball rolling on the Friday night (14 May) with his emphatic three panel win in the second at Kranji – his second win and second placing from 10 starts since arriving in Singapore in August 2008.
Originally named Gamblin’ Man, Thrilla in Manila is by Shovhog out of Endama and was purchased by Eliza Park (on behalf of Asian clients) from the 2007 Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale.
(By the by, the original ‘Thrilla in Manila’ – the third stoush between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier (below) – was held in the Philippines on 1 October 1975 … where did those 35 years go? Meanwhile, at the age of 88, Bill ‘Gambling Man’ Waterhouse announced his retirement from bookmaking this week).
Eliza Park would snare a double on the KrisFlyer card two days later (16 May) with firstly, Tien Chai and then Risky Business saluting at Kranji.
Tien Chai – by Val Royal from Misnik – is an ideal showcase for the Eliza Park ‘process’, having been bred on farm, broken in, pre-trained, prepared for auction and sold by Eliza Park.
The 4YOs win on Sunday was his second on the trot (third overall) and he now has five placings as well from 10 outings.
Last but not least is the extremely well bred Risky Business – a Danehill Dancer 5YO from the Group Two winning Star Watch mare Sky Watch – notched up his sixth win in Singapore for expat trainer Steven Burridge.
(Eliza Park sold a Snitzel half sister to Risky Business at this year’s New Zealand Premier for $120,000 to Robbie Griffiths).