Trainer Michael Freedman rang up a winning double on Sunday to extend his lead in the Singapore trainer's log by two wins from Laurie Laxon and Leslie Khoo, but probably got a bigger kick from scoring a first win with two new partners.
After Bieber brought up the first leg, Imagery completed the double in the $75,000 Why Be 2008 Handicap, an Open Benchmark 74 race over 1100m on Polytrack to hand Freedman his first successful combination with the Coral Stable and British jockey Alan Munro.
The $17 shot, who races in the white, pink and green diamond silks of the Bell brothers, Murray and John, had thus far recorded only one second and one third from eight starts at Kranji, which belied his handy record of four wins from nine starts in Australia.
Though he tends to mix his form, his last-start effort when a closing fourth to the smart Speedy Cat suggested his turn was not far off.
And a promise to offer Munro a compensatory ride after Freedman's Mr Big could not race in the Merlion Trophy worked out all right in the end. The English Derby-winning jockey had been booked by the Australian handler to ride Mr Big in the Group 3 race but ended without a ride after the former juvenile champion was a non-acceptor.
“It's a big thrill to finally get a winner for the boys (Bell brothers) and my first with Alan,” said Freedman.
“That horse came here with solid form - four wins in Australia but was probably at the top of Class 3. Such horses can struggle a little bit for a while but the Bells are so laid-back and understood the situation.
“We gave him a break and he certainly came back better for his second prep. He was a little held up at his last start, or else, he cold have finished a little closer.
“I actually went into today's race thinking he was one of the better chances in the race.
“Alan is a very good jockey and I've always wanted to use him. After Mr Big could not race in the Merlion Trophy, he was a bit downcast and that win (on Imagery) certainly more than made up for it.”
After settling midfield, Imagery, a five-year-old son of More Than Ready, came with a strong burst to defeat Williams by 1 ½ lengths and deny Joao Moreira a six-timer. Rare Earth (Stephen Baster) loomed up as a danger but had to settle for third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.4secs.
