Indigenous and Charming City join HK team for Singapore

25 April 2002

Hong Kong will now be double-handed in the S$3 million (HK$12.6 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup (Gr.1-2000m), the third leg of the World Series Racing Championship, with the Ivan Allan-trained pair, Olympic Express and Indigenous. Following his fast-finishing third behind Eishin Preston in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup (Gr.1-2000m) last Sunday, Indigenous is joint fourth in the WSRC Series at present with four points, and if he wins in Singapore he will go to the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Charming City (David Hayes) and Firebolt (Ivan Allan) will line up for the S$1 million (HK$4.2 million) Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Sprint (Gr.3-1200m) on the same card.

David Hayes' All Thrills Too had also been invited but declined the opportunity. "All Thrills Too will not race in Singapore because there are two other suitable races for him in Hong Kong before the end of the season. There is also the possibility that he would strike a wet track over there and that would not suit him. " Hayes explained.

"Charming City is in brilliant form after his win [in the HKGr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize] at the weekend and now is time to go for an international race with him. He is a very adaptable horse and he shouldn't have any problem racing the other way round at Kranji," the trainer added.

Indigenous, Olympic Express and Firebolt will ship to Singapore on Wednesday, May 1. Charming City's date of departure has yet to be confirmed.