Racing: Singapore invite tempts pair

St Reims and The Jewel will be racing for more than the $100,000 stakemoney in the Darley Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.

They are vying for the invitation to the S$3 million Singapore International Cup on May 15.

The Singapore race has been the goal for St Reims since a decision was made not to even attempt selection for the Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth Cup.

Yesterday The Jewel's owners, Southland's the Dennis brothers, decided to nominate for Singapore.

Managing owner Rob McAnulty is negotiating with the Singapore agriculture and fisheries officials over where St Reims will serve his quarantine.

"We want to do it different because we are transferring St Reims to Laurie Laxon's local stable up there. The Singapore Turf Club is right behind us doing our quarantine at the main racetrack and doing our work alone on the track after 10am, but the agriculture department originally thought we would do our work on a three furlong track further out. The problem is that you can only trot and canter on that."

Provided details can be finalised, St Reims will be flown to Singapore from Melbourne and will run on April 2, followed by the Queen Elizabeth Cup on April 24 then a three week break to the International Cup.

McAnulty said he is extremely happy with the progress of St Reims since winning the group one Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on January 3.

"In his recent gallop between races he ran the 1200m in 1.11 and the 1000m in 58. Leith Innes and Chris [McNab] are very happy and when the trainer and jockey are happy, I'm happy. He looks tremendous."

The Jewel's trainer Hec Anderton said his mare takes a fair amount of work even when at full fitness and a couple of solid hitouts this week will sharpen her for the big task. Her group one Whakanui International Stakes win at Te Rapa last start said she had regained her best form after a roller-coaster ride.

The inclusion of Derby winner Xcellent makes the Darley an exciting prospect.

But no more than the first three-way clash between magical juveniles Mi Jubilee, Wahid and Darci Brahma in the group one $120,000 Ford Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes. All three are dashing last-start winners in stakes class.

This meeting last year was washed out by cyclonic conditions, completely destroying the inaugural "Ladies Day" promotion.

"The weather looks like being perfect this time and we've gone all out to ensure we make up for last year," said ARC chief executive Chris Weaver.

A $10,000 diamond has to be won in a novel quest.

"The fashion police will be around the course during the day and will make 'arrests' of those they think should be in the running for the diamond," said Weaver.

"There are seven runners in the Darley and the 'police' will grab seven people to be finalists.

"The woman who draws the winner of the Darley wins the diamond. Each one of the finalists will win a prize and we'll be handing out five ultimate girls' trips to the Brisbane Cup carnival."