The Patrick Shaw-trained Running Tall was rewarded for his consistency when taking out the $95,000 Open Benchmark 83 Stakes over 1400m on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Barend Vorster, Running Tall scored a one-and-three-quarter length victory from the leader Benji’s Empire (Troy See) with Dujardin (Danny Beasley) a length-and-a-quarter away third.
Running Tall had previously scored just one win in Singapore from 13 starts but had also notched eight minor placings.
The son of Stratum appreciated the soft going as he tracked Benji’s Empire throughout the race.
“He’s so honest and tries his heart out,” said Shaw. “Tonight was his night.
“It was the right race, the right distance, the pace was right and he had the conditions to suit.”
Running Tall came to Singapore with a big reputation. He was a A$500,000 yearling purchase and was successful in Group 2 company as a two-year-old.
“It can be a bit tricky especially the two-year-old form from Australia,” said Shaw. “I’ve had a good look at his form in those two-year-old races in Australia and the form hasn’t really stacked up.
“He’s done a good job for us since he’s been here and hopefully now that he’s broken through again he can go on with it.”
Vorster, who missed the previous weekend’s racing when sidelined through illness, said he was always confident of running down the leader in the run despite that gelding holding a comfortable lead coming to the turn.
“He really enjoyed the going out there tonight,” said Vorster. “It’s not too heavy, just perfect for him to get through.
“I knew he had the leading horse covered coming to the turn. Even though that horse held a comfortable lead I could see him starting to wobble around in the going.
“My horse gave me a strong kick all the way to the line. Now that he’s broken through again hopefully that will give him some confidence to win again.”
A four-year-old by Stratum from the Touch Gold mare Fleeting Touch, Running Tall took his prizemoney to around $180,000 on top of his A$250,000 for Lucky Stable.
