Polytrack specialist Flying Fulton underlined his return to form with a fluent win in the $150,000 Yew Tee Classic Stakes (1800m) on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Already a four-time victor (from his record of eight wins) over the all-weather track including two at Group 3 level (New Year Cup and Polytrack Championship Mile), Flying Fulton, who had Jose Verenzuela up and was sent as the even-money favourite, showed his recent feet issues were clearly behind him when he accelerated brilliantly at the top of the straight to draw clear for an easy 3 ¼ length win over Black Ice (Matthew Kellady) with Flying West (Greg Cheyne), who had dictated terms, holding on for third by a nose.
Shouldering the top impost of 58kgs, Flying Fulton ran the smart time of 1min 52.46secs for the 1800m journey.
Trainer Mark Walker heaped praise on the Flying Spur five-year-old for the way he has been a stable stalwart since he established himself in Singapore in 2010.
“He's been a good tough horse and such a great moneyspinner to us,” said the Kiwi handler.
“I knew he had come on since his first-up run (sixth in a 1400m race) which was probably too short anyway.
“We've had a lot of seconds with him. It's been frustrating and I'm glad for the team we've been able to make him win tonight.
“I knew he was a leading chance, but I probably didn't expect him to win so well, but he's such a good Polytrack horse – he just gallops on that surface and was very dominant in the end.
“He's come on well since he was scratched from the SIA Cup (Singapore Airlines International Cup) after he got sore in the off front foot.
“Jose is such a class rider. He rated him to perfection.”
Walker said he had two races in mind for the close to $890,000 stakes earner, but will have to see how he pulls up in priority.
“There is a 1800m weight-for-age race at the end of the month, but I may also back him up next Friday night in an Open mile race on Poly,” he said.
“I will have to see how he pulls up first.”
Verenzuela, who stood in for the suspended Opie Bosson (returns from his three-day suspension next Friday), seems to have had the rub of the green with Walker, having booted home his first – a double with Coup Da Vinci and Tornado Win – for him on July 1.
The Venezuelan jockey said Flying Fulton is a free galloper who does his best when unrestrained.
“The plan was to go forward but not to lead, as I knew Flying West would lead and I wanted to let him make the pace for us,” he said.
“I just let him run relaxed outside the leader and when he switched his lead at the 600m, I knew he would be hard to beat.
“I just let him roll away as he liked as he's the kind of horse who doesn't like to be held too much.
“But I didn't want to pass the frontrunner too early. Once he came over him, he did the rest so easily.”
