The tipping point in the Singapore trainer’s premiership may well have been reached after Lee Freedman struck a hat-trick of wins from the seven races set down for decision on Tuesday night.
Away in New Zealand to attend the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready-To-Run Sale of 2YOs, the Australian trainer has suddenly skipped clear at the top, forging ahead by five winners on closest rival Shane Baertschiger, who fired blanks on Tuesday.
Third-placed Michael Clements also returned home empty-handed, sitting off a gap that has now widened to 11 winners behind Freedman.
With five meetings to go, the title race is anything but done and dusted, but with the healthier cushion on his side, Freedman was definitely in a better striking position to grab his first Singapore title, while at only his first full season.
Monte Nerone, Mr Dujardin and Turf Princess were the Tuesday trio who have been the providers of that bigger buffer between him and his challengers.
At the Champagne Room to toast to the good night at the office, Freedman’s partner Jo Johnston shared a laugh with Mr Dujardin’s owner Phua Chian Kin (CK), the forever facetious boss of the Oscar Racing Stable, who suggested Freedman should go away more often!
“CK told me Lee should be away more often. Then we may get another treble,” said Johnston.
“I’m happy for CK as he has been very patient with Mr Dujardin. We expected the horse to win tonight over the 2000m trip.
“He had a bit of bad luck at his last runs, we’re not going to dwell too much on that. We were also a bit disappointed he didn’t make it for the Gold Cup.
“He’s been working well and we found the right race for him tonight. I think the switch from blinkers to pacifiers also helped him as he was overracing a bit before.”
Rodd now boasts a 100% record on the High Chaparral four-year-old having saluted on him at his only previous association – in a Class 4 Non Premier race over 2000m in March.
“He was still a bit wayward, but they went along in front, and that helped him relax better off the good tempo,” said the Australian jockey.
“He still needs to straighten up a bit mentally, and he’ll be right.”
Starting an early move three wide from the 800m, Mr Dujardin levelled up with the leading bunch before hammering it out with Majestic Empress (Barend Vorster) inside the last furlong to gain the verdict by a neck.
Japanese galloper Matsuribayashi (Olivier Placais) steamed home late for third place another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 2min 4.23secs for the 2000m on the Short Course.
That third success from 11 starts has boosted Mr Dujardin’s prizemoney level just a tick below the $100,000 mark for the Oscar Racing Stable.
