Balmont disappoints at Kranji Balmont Mast failed to fire in the KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji this afternoon. Eddie Lynam's gelding was never a factor in the hands of Colm O'Donoghue, trailing home last of the nine runners. Jeremy Gask's Medicean Man was withdrawn at the start as Lucky Nine successfully defended his crown in the Group One dash. Medicean Man was considered a major contender having run a fantastic race to finish fourth in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan, but he lost a shoe on the way to the start and did not line up. Lucky Nine got off to a fast start for Brett Prebble and tracked the pacesetters into the straight. Emperor Max did his best to fend off Caspar Fownes' star sprinter, but Lucky Nine found another gear in the last of the six furlongs and was well on top at the line. Emperor Max ran a fine race in second, with Zac Spirit third. "It's a real pleasure to train this horse. He's had a lot of fun for the stable and we're all proud of him," Fownes told At The Races. "He's been in great form. Even though he's seven, I don't tell him, I tell him he's a four-year-old. He listens. He's got a lot of heart and that's what you need in a good horse. He's a good traveller. He's like one of us - he likes to get out of Hong Kong and then get back." British contenders were also unable to make an impact in the Singapore Airlines International Cup as Dan Excel struck gold for trainer John Moore and jockey Tommy Berry. Andrew Balding sent Dubai World Cup fourth Side Glance for the valuable 10-furlong contest and was joined by Jane Chapple-Hyam's stable stalwart Mull Of Killough, last seen winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket. Side Glance was slowly away and dropped out last by Jamie Spencer, with Mull Of Killough racing closer to the pace in the hands of Damien Oliver. Side Glance made some headway in the straight, but was ultimately well beaten as he passed the post almost upsides Mull Of Killough in midfield. Moore's Military Attack was all the rage to win the race for the second successive year, but he could not pick up in the straight and it was his lesser fancied stable companion who emerged victorious. Pascal Bary's French challenger Smoking Sun finished strongly for Stephane Pasquier in second, with Military Attack third. Moore said: "I think the gate (stalls position) made the difference and it was a ride from Tommy. To see him win like that, it was a bit of a replica of Military Attack last year. This horse has been the underdog for so many big races and today he excelled."
