The Derby saw the Michael Clements trained Alibi (Darci Brahma-Bound To Impress) ridden by Glen Boss installed as favourite after his Patrons Bowl win. The main opposition looked to be coming from Infantry (Tavistock-The Nightingale) and Lim’s Cruiser (Casino Prince-Hope Downs) who were both good in that race.

The Alwin Tan trained Infantry was his trainers hope of a first Derby win after going  oh so close with War Affair in 2015. Tan was well represented as he also had Nova Strike and Absolute Miracle in the race. However he felt that Infantry was his best “They have all worked pretty well. The only concern is the distance, it’s their first time over 2000m, it’s a very new challenge to them,” said Tan. “I’m more confident with Infantry as he’s the top-rated horse in my stable and I always thought he would be more suited by longer staying races. His good barrier (six) is also a plus”.

Early in the race Boss had Alibi positioned well from barrier eleven, going into the first turn had his mount positioned 3rd as they settled. Manoel Nunes had Infantry a couple of lengths behind Alibi in 6th position, settling with Lim’s Cruiser and Danny Beasley down the back section of the Kanji track.

As they edged towards the home turn Boss was caught on the rail and needed an inside run. Meanwhile Nunes edged forward on Infantry, coming around Alibi, who did get the run on the inside. As they straightened Alibi briefly hit the front at about the 400m marker.

But it was Nunes and Infantry who were going strongest and they hit the front at the 300m mark and were able to sustain the run. He quickly skipped two lengths clear and never looked like being run down. The battle for the minors was far tighter with a cluster of horses all making a run. However it was Lim’s Samurai (JPN) (Samurai Heat-Toho Queen) and William Pike, who came from back in the field who managed to hold second. Nova Strike (Red Giant-La Panthere) and Derreck David were third at the line.

Infantry, who was sold as a weanling for just $7K, has now earned S$1.3M for connections. For Alwin Tan the win was emotional “This is the biggest race I’ve ever won. I can’t find words to describe how I’m feeling now,” said Tan. “All I can say is that I’m very happy and also for the Thai owners who came here to support the horse.

“This horse has such a big heart, he always does his best and throughout his prep I was satisfied with his work. Like I’ve said before, I gave him a lot of endurance work, more than the two other horses (Nova Strike who ran third and Absolute Miracle who ran eighth), and its obviously paid off.”

“When Infantry drew six, I was even more confident as we were hoping for anything from five to eight, and here I have to thank my wife for her lucky hand at the draw! From barrier six, I didn’t have to tell Nunes what to do as he knows the horse so well. When they landed in fifth or sixth on the rails, I knew they would have a good chance.

“And what about Nova Strike! What a fantastic race, he ran his heart out from his wide gate and just missed second place to Laurie’s (Laxon) horse (Lim’s Samurai) by a neck.”

For Nunes the win came after an injury break had seen him miss the ride in the second triple crown leg. “I know this horse really well, and he gave me such great confidence. Today, he just showed me where to go, he is so professional.

“In the running, I even told Danny (Beasley on Lim’s Cruiser) what a lovely position I was in. He’s a horse that doesn’t like to be chased or held back, and today, everything was perfect. At the 700m, I had a lot of horse under me, and when the gaps opened, he just pulled away to a big break. He got a bit tired in the end but he had enough left in the tank to last it out.

“This is a miracle and thank God, it’s worked out well. It’s unbelievable, three weeks after my injury, I’ve come back and won the Derby, I’m very pleased.

“A big thank you to the owners and Alwin for keeping me on this horse, and the doctor who operated on me and made sure I could come back in time.”