Kai Power went one better over his last start with a late burst to win the $60,000 Class 4 race (1800m) on Sunday.
The Brian Dean-trained galloper came into the race having saluted over this trip before. In last year’s October 31 Open Benchmark 67 race, he had pipped Dark Pulse (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) to the post in a deadheat finish.
Kai Power had a good chance to repeat that performance at his last start, when he came from the back to steam past the entire field bar the leader Power Play (Nooresh Juglall) down the straight, only to find the post arriving too soon and he could only hit the line two-and-three-quarter lengths behind the winner to finish second.
“At his last start the leader was given a soft run,” said Dean.
“The horse is the sort that comes from behind and doesn’t like horses outside of him.
“I bought him as a stayer and he’s a horse that definitely can stay.”
Kai Power ($29), with Zawari Razali astride, jumped well but took up his customary position at the rear of the pack as Free Happy (Ng Choon Kiat) and Bob (Michael Rodd) set off a searing pace to lead the way.
At the top of the straight, Kai Power was taken out wide to give him galloping space to launch a challenge on the leading duo, who were looking decidedly vulnerable as the entire field closed in on them. As the final furlong approached, Kai Power found an additional gear to pull clear of the rest, gobbling up the ground with every stride as he crossed the line unopposed.
Irish Rebel (Manoel Nunes), who also took the outside route, was two-and-three-quarter lengths behind in second place. Bob came in third a further three-parts-of-a-length away.
The $17 race favourite Eclipse Dancer was hemmed to the fence for his entire run and could only make it to the line in eighth place.
“The boss told me the horse’s last 400m is very good and I must push,” said Zawari.
“I think this distance is his best.”
When quizzed about loftier targets in the Bramshaw six-year-old’s horizon, Dean was pragmatic about the gelding’s ability.
“He must win his next two to three races to prove his worth before I will consider him for the Gold Cup,” said the Australian-born conditioner.
“He ticks all the boxes but personally I think he might not be up to the ability.”
With this win, Kai Power has brought stakes earnings earned at Kranji to just under the $150,000 mark for the Dean Stable and their connections.
Dean went on to saddle a training double three races later in the $35,000 Class 5 race over 1600m with $148 longshot Street Champ storming home late to grab the win right on the line.
Previously prepared by trainer Shane Baertschiger, the US-bred son of Street Hero, who was at only his second career win for the Numero Uno Racing Stable, turned out to be a winning pick-up ride for champion apprentice jockey A'Isisuhairi after Erasmus Alsam was stood down.
"I'm very happy for (owner) Eric (Koh). This horse ran quite well two runs back when he finished only four lengths off the winner," said Dean.
"Too bad for Aslam. I thought of getting Zuriman (Zulkifli) first but he had left the racecourse and Harry happened to walk by!"
Having scored earlier aboard Moritz Eclipse ($20) in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden Division 1 race over 1200m, A'Isisuhairi was at the double to consolidate his second place (18 wins), but still some distance away from leader Shafiq Rizuan (33 wins).
