WELLINGTON - Former Northland-trained galloper The Mighty Finn posted his second Singapore win within eight days when successful in a $S180,000 ($225,000) race on Saturday night.
The Mighty Finn had won a $S100,000 race over 1600m the previous Saturday night. His victory on Saturday night was in a weight-for-age event over 1800m.
The horse's previous trainer Donna Logan, from Ruakaka near Whangarei, listened to a commentary of Saturday night's race over the telephone.
The racecaller at the Kranji racetrack in Singapore is former New Zealand commentator George Simon, and Logan said hearts were pounding when The Mighty Finn turned for home well clear.
"George said his commentary '... and The Mighty Finn is out by five lengths'. We said 'What?' We couldn't believe it."
But their hearts were in their mouths as Simon described local hero Ouzo storming after The Mighty Finn as the finish line loomed.
"And then half-way down the straight he said, "... and here comes the big O'.
"We thought 'oh no'. But he held on."
The Mighty Finn is in the Singapore stable of former New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin but Logan said she still receives a percentage of the horse's winnings through the generosity of Ruakaka owner Graham Finlayson.
"Graham has been a very good friend and loyal owner," Logan explained. "He said if it wasn't for you, I would never have gone to Singapore with the horse.
"He said you've lost a good horse out of the stable, and he said I'll give you 10 per cent of my share."
Logan said Finlayson has a 90 per cent shareholding in The Mighty Finn with 10 per cent being taken by Terry Lee of Malaysia. Lee purchased a 50 per cent in the former Logan-trained El Duce who went to race in Singapore last year.
Busuttin was in contact with Logan yesterday and he advised connections to make airline bookings for the horse's next start.
"He said book your tickets for August 12," Logan said.
Logan said another $S180,000 weight-for-age 1800m race has been earmarked for The Mighty Finn on that day and the long term goal was the Singapore Gold Cup in October.
In New Zealand the McGinty five-year-old gelding won the group two $100,000 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe last November and ran third in last year's group one $100,000 Easter Handicap (1600m).
- NZPA
Racing: Finn shows mighty Singapore form
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.