We live in trying times. If there’s an upside, it occurs when something special occurs.
Siam Blue Vanda’s brilliant win in Friday night’s Stewards Cup (Sgp Group2) was just such an event. When the well-performed and red-hot favourite Top Knight hit the front with 150 to go, the result appeared to be a formality; however, SBV found an extra gear and edged in front on the line.
As we all know, it’s the ability to accelerate when it really matters that distinguishes top-class thoroughbreds and the son of Echoes of Heaven and the Lahib (Riverman) mare I’m A Wag has acceleration aplenty. The close relative of iron horse Istidaad, whose dam is I’m A Wag’s grand-dam, is reportedly being aimed at the Singapore Derby (15 April) and must now be well-favoured for this prestigious event.
From a pedigree point of view, Siam Blue Vanda features inbreeding to Northern Dancer, Lalun and Best In Show (5×5). I can see no reason why repeating this pedigree pattern should not work well as this is not the first time this genetic combination has produced a superior racehorse.
Echoes of Heaven now has a winners to starters ratio of around 57%. Given that many of his early crops were from mares with little to recommend them, he has done very well indeed.
