New Zealand ex-pat trainer Stephen Grey produced the lightly raced gelding Wind Chaser (NZ) at Kranji on Sunday and claimed the four-year-olds fifth win when winning the $S125,000, Korea Racing Association Trophy (2000m).

The win was a narrow affair, but it showed up Wind Chaser in the best possible manner as he led, was taken on, headed, and then fought back to retake the lead and gain the win. Grey immediately outlined larger plans for Wind Chaser.

Former Sydney jockey Ronnie Stewart has ridden Wind Chaser in his last six starts and they have won twice, placed second once and third once. On Sunday Stewart knew what he wanted and he went to the lead from the barriers setting a good pace as the field went round the top bend.

Entering the back straight Stewart steadied Wind Chaser to a length lead at the 1500m. The margin stayed the same as they went past the 600m. Coming off the bottom bend the Laurie Laxon trained Royal Commander (NZ) (Four Seasons), under Barend Voster, came up inside as Wind Chaser rolled away from the rail and took a narrow lead.

At the 300m Stewart started to work on Wind Chaser and it was apparent that the horse was responding well as they went to the 200m marker. Wind Chaser had Royal Commander in his sights and as the line approached he went past, just, and they went to the line with a nose to spare.

Trigger Express (AUS) (Citidancer) was third, the margin 2 1/4L away. The time was 2.05.07.

Ronnie Stewart looks across to confirm the win on Wind Chaser, picture Singapore Turf Club.


Grey, sixth on the Singapore trainer’s championship table, declared that Wind Chaser could make an appearance in Melbourne in the spring for the Emirates Melbourne Cup if everything went to plan.

That plan included the proviso that Wind Chaser has to win the Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m in July to be considered for a Victorian trip.

“He looks ready for the Derby and I know there is improvement in him,” said Gray.

“I have looked after him and spaced his races and he has one of the best heart rate recoveries possible after work on the treadmill,” he said.

“He is a real tough stayer,” said Stewart.

“He will not give in and in a battle he generally wins. He is certainly good enough to go to the Derby,” he added.

It was win number 22 for Stewart for the Singapore season to-date.

Grey, a co-owner of the horse, said that if a decision was made to send Wind Chaser to Victoria he left open the idea of either taking the horse himself , or sending him to a Victorian trainer for the campaign.

Wind Chaser is by the Chief’s Crown racehorse Istidaad who won at Group I level in the Australian Cup over 2000m and the Moonee Valley Cup over 2500m. Not given the best of chances at stud he has nevertheless produced repeat winners with Wind Chaser a good example.

Wind Chaser is out of the Straight Strike mare Forget Me Knot and his five wins and three placing have produced stakes of $S280,000.