Just when trainer Cliff Brown had consigned Divided House to the “forever unlucky” bin, the bonny mare bounced back to remind all and sundry of her talent with a slashing victory in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m on Sunday.
The I Am Invincible six-year-old served notice of a good dose of ability early in her Kranji career when she reeled off a three-in-a-row following her debut second, but not for want of trying, it has been a long time between drinks since.
Divided House last won in a Graduation race over 1200m in June 2015. The next 14 runs have seen a few close calls, but they have been more frustration than anything else.
No such litany of woes on Sunday when aided by a peach of a ride from Corey Brown, she was popped off the fence coming to the 500m to vie for an uninterrupted run down the middle of the track.
With the majority of the 14 runners spread quite evenly across the track, it was still anybody’s race, but the day finally belonged to Divided House ($43), who finished just a touch better to go and score by three parts of a length from debutant Al Green (Vlad Duric) with Golden Sword (Wong Chin Chuen) third another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 10.56secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
“She’s always been very unlucky. Nothing has ever gone right for her,” said a relieved Brown.
“Whether it’s when she’s out of the gates or she gets checked, there’s always a hard-luck story about her.
“She thoroughly deserved that win today. She proved that when things go right, she can be counted on.”
Both Browns were on the same page about the winner’s luckless run since her last victory more than 16 months ago.
“She’s a horse who showed a lot of promise early in her career. Obviously, I’ve not ridden her recently, but I know she can get in a pickle, both at the barriers and midrace,” said Brown the jockey.
“But today, she’s done a great job. I got her off the fence early to avoid any crowding and once she saw daylight, she lengthened up really well.”
With that fourth win, Divided House has now taken her earnings past the $270,000 level for her connections.
