It was a lot tougher second time around but Got Luck recorded back-to-back victories when successful in the $55,000 Class 4 Div. 1 Stakes over 1000m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Oscar Chavez, Got Luck ($8 favourite) scored by a length from Smart Samurai (John Powell) with Volkov (Leong Yoon Fei) a length-and-three-quarters back in third place.
Got Luck had made a huge impression with his debut victory on June 16 when successful in an 1100m Initiation Stakes when he was throttled down to win by three lengths after leading throughout.
Back to the shorter 1000m journey on Sunday, Got Luck was made to work three-wide outside of the leaders and was even pushed wider coming around the hometurn by the leader Fong Su(Marcus Au).
At this stage Smart Samurai, which had been in a good trailing position, got the run through to hit the front, but once balanced up in the straight Got Luck extended nicely and was drawing away from the runner-up in the run to the line.
Trainer Alvin Tan said he felt there was extra pressure leading into Sunday’s race as the contest was a tougher test than his debut victory.
“He was eased down in his last 200m last time but he had to do it a lot tougher today,” said Tan.
“There was extra pressure today. This was certainly a tougher race than what he raced in last time and I said to the owners before the race that I thought he was well up to it.
“I think in time that this horse is capable of winning a Group race. I think he’s a similar sort of horse as Perfect Charger but still needs to learn how to race.
“I will keep him over the shorter distances at the moment as he is very fast and can sprint, but he’s also still green as he showed today.”
Purchased out of New Zealand as a trial winner, Tan said he had trouble selling Got Luck when he arrived in Singapore.
“It took me about a month to sell him,” said Tan. “Luckily for the owner he has won his two starts and hopefully there are more to come.”
Chavez believes Got Luck will continue to improve and may even benefit from going for a short break.
“He’s got lots to learn and will only keep getting better,” said Chavez.
“Today I think he was only about 75% right. He’s got to learn about the barriers and not to run away from other horses.
“The leader today ran about and all my horse wanted to do was run away from him. Once we got into the straight I had to take him over to John Powell (Smart Samurai) and once he was able to eyeball that horse he raced a lot better.
“I still think there is at least four lengths improvement to come from him. He’s got a lot of natural ability but still doesn’t know how to race properly.
“When he does he will make into a very good horse.”
A New Zealand-bred three-year-old by Danroad from Malika, Got Luck has won around $65,000 for connections – Eight Eight One Stable.
