Speed Demon sprang a mini upset when he scored first-up from a nine-month break on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Clang four-year-old was last seen back in June when he ran a closing fourth in a Class 4 race over 1200m. Trainer Steven Lam then decided to give him a break after some tendon tissue problems were detected.
A barrier trial sixth on February 19 combined with some average workouts did not really scream comeback victory in Sunday’s $75,000 Class 3 race over 1200m by any stretch of the imagination, but the two-time winner defied his long odds of $98 to land his third victory in style.
Speed Demon, who was donning blinkers for the first time, bounced out of his barrier No 1 like a flash to show the way, contrary to his normal racing pattern of being dropped back to the rear.
Empire Bay (Ivaldo Santana) stayed camped on his hindquarters in second spot while favourite Super Good (Joao Moreira) was trapped three wide just a few lengths astern.
Rounding the home turn, Speed Demon came under attack as a row of horses made up of Empire Bay, Super Good and Sulmona (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) charged home on his outside. While many thought his lack of race fitness would tell, Speed Demon kept rallying to hold on gamely for a three-quarter-length win from Empire Bay with Sulmona third another 1 ¼ lengths away.
Super Good had every chance despite coursing out wide, but ran one-paced in the home straight to run fourth another length away. The winning time was 1min 11.66secs.
“We put him away after he had some structural problems with his tendon sheath to his near front leg,” said Lam.
“The owners (Miracle Racing) were very patient and understanding and left it to my full control.
“He’s had two trials, but he’s not an easy horse to spot as he doesn’t show much in his work. But I was confident of a good race first-up as I knew he had ability.”
Chavez, whose only partnership with the Australian-bred gelding before Sunday’s race came in that barrier trial, agreed with Lam that Speed Demon was not a horse who leaves many clues on the training tracks.
“The plan was to sit third or fourth, but he surprised me by showing a lot of pace. I just let him bowl along and dictate terms in front,” said Chavez.
“At the top of the straight, he switched his legs, but once I got him on the right leg, he finished off very well. It was a nice surprise for him to win at his first race from a long break of nine months.”
