English trainer James Peters predicted a staying future for Destroyer Eclipse following his smart all-the-way win second-up in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on Friday night.
Back racing three weeks after his promising debut second to smart filly Filibuster in a similar Restricted Maiden race over 1100m, Destroyer Eclipse ($16) took control of the race from the off, never to relinquish the advantage all the way to the line.
Well rated by New Zealand jockey Craig Grylls, the Alamosa three-year-old momentarily looked vulnerable when Cliff Brown’s debutant What’'s New (Amirul Ismadi) came with a wet sail on the outside, but the brave leader found a second wind to prevail with three parts of a length to spare.
Even-money favourite Fusion Power (Alan Munro) loomed as a threat after riding shotgun outside Destroyer Eclipse from the starter’s despatch, but stayed rather one-paced inside the last furlong to take third place another three lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.07secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
“I was really pleased with his run first-up. He’s by Alamosa and out of a staying mare; it was very encouraging,” said Peters.
“He stepped up to the task tonight and has done a good job. He’s still learning and is still a little keen, and that’s why we are trying to educate him over shorter distances first.
“He will get 1400m to a mile later. The owner (Iman Hartono) and his racing manager Eoin Sullivan have been good to me, they’ve got a couple of nice horses with us.”
Grylls said he did not really plan to go forward but the initial speedmap lent itself to such a race tactic in the end.
“I didn’t expect to lead but the horse jumped good,” said Grylls who was recording his sixth win at Kranji since beginning his stint in July.
“He had a soft time in front and he was left alone. He then gave a good kick at the top of the straight.
“I think he’s got a lot of ability.”
