A smart front running ride by French jockey Davy Bonilla paved the way to victory for Tiger Master in the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1600m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Increasing his margin the entire straight, Tiger Master raced away to a five-and-three-quarter length victory from Pure Tactics (Oscar Chavez) with Honkytonk Man (Danny Beasley) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Going to the lead from the outset Bonilla was able to dictate the tempo from Honkytonk Man and Pure Tactics back in third spot.
Coming off the back Bonilla slowly increased the tempo and by the hometurn he raised it a notch again.
Just when it looked likely that Pure Tactics would make a race of it, Tiger Master lifted into another gear and over the final 200m raced away for a commanding victory.
Trainer Sonny Yeoh, who took over from his brother Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye in September, landed his eighth victory.
“He’s an improving horse,” said Yeoh. “He keeps going and should get further as well.
“He had been racing a bit greenly but had been knocking on the door as well.
“Once he learns to race properly I think he could be a handy horse for the stable.”
Bonilla said there was still more improvement to come from Tiger Master who was having just his fifth race start on Sunday.
“He’s still learning and will keep getting better,” said Bonilla. “He’s like a big child.
“He gallops like a big stayer with a big action. With that action he needs to be strong and I think he will have no trouble getting over further.”
A three-year-old Australian-bred by Bradbury’s Luck from the Cherokee Run mare Atali, Tiger Master is raced by the Master Stable and has won around $58,000 in prizemoney following Sunday’s success.
