Epalo romps to Singapore success
German challenger Epalo made all the running under Andreas Starke to score a runaway success in the Group One Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday.
Starke sent the five-year-old straight into the lead from his outside draw and the opposition allowed him to dictate matters from the front.
The Andreas Schutz-trained Epalo increased the tempo coming off the final bend and he soon established a decisive advantage in the straight and he was never in any danger afterwards, coming home five lengths ahead of South African hope Surveyor.
Hong Kong’s Bowman’s Crossing was third under Michael Kinane a further three-quarters of a length further away.
Mick Channon’s Imperial Dancer kept on well from the rear in the hands of Ted Durcan to finish sixth, eight and a half lengths behind the winner, after being forced wide off the home turn.
“I was worried before the race that he had a bad draw (16) but he started so quick and I had a perfect race,” Starke told iSports TV.
“It was very easy for him in front because nobody else wanted to go. He travelled good round the corner and then he just went.”
Schutz added: “I was very worried about the draw but Andreas did everything perfectly well and he rode a brilliant race.”
