An $80,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase for Cumani Racing last year, Anders gelding Single Choice is a three year-old on the improve and took another step towards the Group I SA Derby at Caulfield on Saturday when winning the $200,000 Listed MRC Galilee Series Final (2400m).
Single Choice went into Saturday’s race with some of the strongest credentials in the field, including a victory in the Group II MRC Autumn Classic (1800m) at the same venue two starts back.
Ridden by Jamie Mott, Single Choice took up a position in second, trailing the early leader Awesome Artist.
The field bunched up before the home turn and Single Choice briefly looked like he might be swallowed up into the pack, but Mott got him to kick back up and thrust his head in front before the home turn.
Single Choice’s superior stamina shone through down the straight and he kicked away to score by a length and a quarter.
Trainer Matt Cumani is now keen to give Single Choice a Group One opportunity in the A$1 million Group I SAJC South Australian Derby at Morphettville on May 2.
“I think we've got to go to Adelaide off that,” he said. “This race was a bit of a test to see if he might get a Derby distance, and even though it might not have been a solidly run 2400m throughout, I think it's provided enough of a test to say that we can go there and give it a go.
“I was very nervous about whether he'd get the trip, but he got a beautiful ride by Motty. No speed early, but they went pretty solid from the 800m, even earlier than that, and he had to sustain a pretty hard run.
“He’s got that turn of foot, and that's really valuable for a horse that can get a bit of a trip.”
Single Choice has the tidy record of four wins and three placings from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $430,000.
Single Choice was offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale by Riversley Park, who purchased him from the Kingstar Farm draft at Inglis Classic for $80,000.
Bred by Kingstar Farm, he is the best of two winners from four foals to race from stakes-winning Sebring mare Sebring Sally, a half-sister to Group III winner Roy’s Riviera with third dam Donna Cara, a stakes-winner by Sir Tristram (IRE) at 2100m.
Sebring Sally has not had a foal the past two years and was covered by Artorius last spring.
Single Choice is the second stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s young sire Anders.
