Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka had some famous connections for company as he saddled Danger Zone to a win in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1800m on Friday night.
As the Japanese handler cheered for his sixth winner of the season, he was joined in the celebrations by Manami Ichikawa, the daughter of Yoshimi Ichikawa, the owner of Victoire Pisa, the only Japanese winner of the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup (2011).
Of course, she was not as exuberant as on that memorable night when she spontaneously hugged Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai, in the post-race euphoria, knocking off her headpiece, but she was still letting her hair down at the Champagne Room as she chinked glasses with Takaoka to toast Danger Zone’s win.
“I’m just visiting Singapore and of course I had to come to the races,” said Ichikawa.
“It’s a nice track and who knows, I may send a horse to Mr Takaoka-san one day!”
The coy handler laughed, but deep down, would probably not mind having a couple with even half the capability of a Victoire Pisa.
For now, he was happy to soak in $53 shot Danger Zone’s gutsy win given the Mayano Top Gun five-year-old had not visited the winner’s circle since his solitary win in May 2013.
“This horse has always had ability but I told jockey Craig Newitt that he was a lazy horse,” said Takaoka.
“I told him to sit wherever he was comfortable, but he missed the jump. Luckily there weren’t many horses in this race.”
Takaoka’s other more fancied ($46) runner Fujin Bright (Alan Munro) had every chance and even looked like he could put the race away at the 200m, but wilted to run fourth only one length off his stablemate.
“I told Alan to take the lead with Fujin Bright but he missed the start too,” lamented the trainer.
“I think he sat too long in the barriers and he lost his focus.”
Newitt, who was at his first win for Takaoka, was having a good night at the office having earlier scored aboard Sand Bank for trainer Steven Burridge.
“This horse has been pretty consistent, running placed many times. I know he has a nice turn of foot and I held him up as long as I could,” said the Australian hoop.
“They were rolling along in front but there was a bit of traffic jam in the home straight. I went to the rails but the gap closed and luckily I found another gap and he was too good in the end.”
Danger Zone looked caught behind the eight ball at the 300m, but Newitt’s perseverance paid off as he dove between Justice World (Manoel Nunes) and Fujin Bright before sticking his head in front right on the line.
Justice World ran second with Verglatica (Corey Brown) charging home late for third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 50.89secs for the 1800m on the Long Course.
Favourite Smart Lad (Farick Tan) endured a torrid run three wide punching the breeze and did not quicken when the chips were down to finish fifth.
