Racing: Living up to its true tradition

SINGAPORE - How time flies - especially when you're onto a good thing. Yes, it's that time of the year when all connected with Singapore racing, puff out their chests with pride, knowing that - yet again - the eyes of the racing world will be locked on Kranji for the running of the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup and the $1m KrisFlyer Inernational Sprint.

It's also around this time every year that regular racegoers wring their hands at the prospect of seeing some of the best thoroughbreds from around the world do battle live and up close.

There's more. It's when racing journalists and commentators attempt to become scriptwriters of a great epic as they attempt to pen a scenario befitting the big race.

It's when horseowners of Cup runners dream big dreams and when us, tipsters, try to wring every morsel of information from every possible source just so that we can make an informed selection on the big race. It is never easy.

More importantly, it's also the time of the year when the not-so-regular visitor to Kranji cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of pretty ladies in tight racing silks and more during this Singapore International Racing Festival (SIRF).

HORSESHOES AND SOME HISTORY

But it hasn't been all about the girls.

For those keen on knowing what goes on at the turf club, there's the Corporate Social Responsibility and Equine Exhibition that takes a stroll down memory lane.

Reflect on the Singapore Turf Club's milestones and learn about the club's efforts in contributing and benefiting the community and society, while feeding your curiosity about horses through the Equine Exhibition.

Replacing the Belles, the stars of the exhibition have been the club's four-legged mascots - Racer and Clover. Real darlings, these ponies were true ambassadors.

So you think you're the sporty type? Well, the SIRF once again challenged the public to test your arm and accuracy at the Horseshoe Pitching Competition - with the winner receiving a $2,000 cash prize.

Looking for something more gentle on the arms?

Then there was that opportunity to try your hand at the Sand Sculpture.

And, like always, it unearthed plenty of "building" talent.

BELLES OF THE BALL

If you're wondering what women in tights have to do with the noble sport of horseracing, well, we're talking about the very-popular Turf Belles - a beauty pageant of sorts where good looks and some equine knowledge counts in the end.

Yes, we're also waxing lyrical about the SIRF, an annual event which brings racing beyond the racetrack and into the city centre and the heartlands.

This year's event began on April 26 and will culminate with the running of the two big races - the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2,000m and the $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1,200m - tomorrow.

Back to the Belles - and why not?

So far, the 13 women, who were carefully selected from a talent search, made their first public appearance at Bugis+ on the afternoon of April 26 - and boy, were they all winners.

Yes, come tomorrow, racegoers will have stars in their eyes when they take in the beautiful thoroughbreds just prior to the start of the SIA Cup.

Last year, the Belles carried the flags of the two feature races at the opening ceremony.

Tomorrow will likely be the same.

But, before the grand finale, the pretty Belles had done their part for charity.

Looking chic in jockey silks depicting the past 13 SIA Cup winners, the Turf Belles were recently seen with staff from the Singapore Turf Club in the "Caps for Charity" event, where they sold specially-designed SIA Cup caps for a good cause.

If you were one of those who bought a cap, we say "thank you", as all proceeds will be donated to the Club's adopted charity - Thye Hua Kwan EIPIC Centre @ Woodlands.

Since their introduction to the public, the Belles were also well received when they made their appearances at a fun-filled roadshow at Jurong Point earlier this month.

SILKS WHICH SPELL SUCCESS

All through the festival, the Belles have been at the forefront. There were 13 of them this year.

Come 2015, there will be 14 Turf Belles - the latest one sporting the racing silks of this year's winner.

Will those colours be any flashier than the silks of green with black trimmings worn by last year's winner Military Attack (right)?

Or the bright yellow with those pale blue-and-white striped sleeves which the jockey of Chinchon wore when beating all in the 2012 event?

Right now, we can't say what colours the winner of the 2014 event will be wearing.

But, be it the colours of a home-grown talent or that of an overseas visitor, one thing is certain.

Whatever the hue or how garish the colours, it will be worn with pride by the next Turf Belle next year, as it would be a reminder to us all of the courageous exploits of yet another gallant winner of Singapore's most prestigious horserace.

This article was published on May 17 in The New Paper.

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