TOUGH MARE SEALS LAST TOUR DE FORCE WITH A WIN

French fields beckon as Lim’s Force goes out with a bang, leading rare Zaki riding double

- Michael Lee

Many horses at Kranji face an uncertain future after Singapore racing's last lap is done and dusted on Oct 5.

Those who are lucky enough will continue their careers elsewhere, mostly across the Causeway.

From a cost and logistical viewpoint, the Malaysian exit strategy would be the favoured option among most owners, especially for those whose trainers are also relocating there.

For Australia or New Zealand, horses have to be air-freighted, and their racing scene is also a lot tougher.

Besides, that north-bound exodus to Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Ipoh had been a well-established practice for years, way before Singapore racing went into shutdown mode.

The search for an easier circuit coupled with the need to make way for new blood at Kranji were the main push factors.

However, with an age cap set at seven up to eight in exceptional cases for high-class horses on such exports, the only option left for older horses is to be put to pasture.

The rehoming process can still be tricky. Both parties must be willing, firm commitments must be pledged to the horse's welfare in their remaining years.

The current Kranji horse population has dwindled from around 700 pre-June 5 (when closure was announced) to 445 nearly one year later.

One happy ending can make that 444, though and, interestingly, down a road less travelled.