Trainer Michael Clements is hoping former Argentinian galloper Don Platense can force his way into the Longines Singapore Gold Cup.
The South American did his chances no harm following a determined victory in the $75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 2000m on Friday night.
Providing Brazilian jockey Manoel Nunes with a winning treble, Don Platense scored by a neck from Danger Zone (Alan Munro) with Super Junior (A’Isisuhairi ‘Harry’ Kasim) a length-and-a-quarter away third.
The victory of Don Platense provided Clements with a winning double for the evening, having won earlier with Flying Mission, ridden by Nunes, from just two runners on the program.
Don Platense came to Singapore as a well credentialled galloper from Argentina, having won five of his 12 starts.
But the five-year-old didn’t acclimatise to the conditions in Singapore after his arrival and Friday night’s success was his first in nine starts, a victory that Clements hopes might enable him to gain a start in the Group 1 $1.35 million Longines Singapore Gold Cup over 2200m on November 17.
Arriving in Singapore as an entire, Clements was forced to geld Don Platense in an effort to entice the best from the five-year-old.
Nunes took Don Platense to the lead, but turning for home Clements thought the gelding was a spent force and was preparing himself for another defeat.
But Don Platense rallied strongly under Nunes and fought back after being headed in the straight.
“He took a long time to acclimatise when he first got here,” said Clements. “We eventually made the decision to geld him.
“Tonight was his third run following his gelding operation and he’s turned his form around.
“I’m really happy with that win tonight. He looked beaten at the top of the straight but he fought back really well.
“I believe he did this on a few occasions in Argentina before he came out here, but he’s a fighter and he showed that tonight.
“Hopefully the handicapper will be kind to him and find a place in the Gold Cup for him, but if not then maybe now that he’s found his form we can look at some of the bigger races with him next year.”
Nunes said he thought he was beaten when headed soon after turning for home but added the gelding had plenty of heart.
“He’s a big horse that is pretty one-paced but tonight it was a pretty strong staying effort,” said Nunes.
“There didn’t look to be a lot of pace in the race and from that barrier I was happy to go to the front. Harry started to apply the pressure from the 700m and after coming into the straight I thought I was in some trouble.
“But he dug really deep and fought off Super Junior and then the second horse made a run at us and he dug even deeper.
“It was a very good win tonight and it’s great to get a winner for these owners.”
