No doubts about this Group 1 victory

At his seventh start in a Singapore Group 1 race, 5YO gelding Always Certain finally broke through this evening at Kranji to win the $S500,000 Raffles Cup Sing-1 over 1800 metres. In the process, he also became the first Group 1 winner for Arrowfield’s leading young sire Not A Single Doubt .

Pictured: Always Certain claims the Raffles Cup Sing-1 at Kranji this evening. (PHOTO: Singapore Turf Club)

Jockey Vlad Duric waited patiently near the back of the field on a slow pace before sending Always Certain wide on the turn. The gelding responded with generosity and pulled away to win by a length from Clear For Action with Speed Baby third, and Flying Fulton (by Flying Spur ) in fourth position.

It was Always Certain’s 7th career victory, and third Group win, from 25 starts, and took his earnings for Bernard Lee’s Horizon Stable past the million-dollar mark. Bred by Dr Paul Cradock from the Akaaber mare Akarana, Always Certain was purchased for $60,000 by Badgers Bloodstock from the Swettenham Stud draft at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.

Akarana won at Listed Race level in Melbourne and is a full sister to Tasmanian Derby G3 winner Suavity, from the family of Victoria Derby G1 winner Omnicorp.

Always Certain was one of four winners on the card for trainer Michael Freedman who said of him, “This horse has been deserving of a Group 1 win and he’s finally achieved it.

“During his three-year-old year and early four-year-old days he kept being denied by Better Than Ever.

“I just hope he is not too harshly treated by the handicapper. The way he finishes his races off I’ve got no doubt that he’ll run the distance of the [2200-metre Singapore] Gold Cup.”

Not A Single Doubt is the sire of six stakeswinners among 17 stakes performers, and has enjoyed a fine weekend thanks to Always Certain, Karuta Queen (1st, MVRC Red Anchor S. G3) and Doubtful Jack (2nd, MVRC A.J. Moir S. G2).