Jockey Corey Brown discovered a new string to Petrenui’s bow with his victory in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 89 Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club Picture: Racing and Sports
Well supported to return a $21 dividend, Petrunui scored by three-quarters-of-a-length from Sichuan Ruler (Joao Moreira) with Black Unicorn (Barend Vorster) a half-length back in third place.
Petrenui recorded a winning time of 1min 04.57secs, 0.3secs outside of the course record held by Easy Man.
A leader in previous assignments in Singapore, Brown took the sit in fourth position aboard the former Perth sprinter with Ronnie Brown (Manoel Nunes) leading over Indulge (Kelvin Ng) and Sichuan Ruler.
Soon after turning for home Sichuan Ruler went up to challenge Ronnie Brown. Brown was then able to peel off their backs on Petrenui and at the 200m mark he joined the pair with a good turn of foot.
With 100m left to run, Petrenui forged to front and opened up a winning break, and although getting tired in the final stages held on for a solid win.
Brown had Petrenui undergo a veterinary inspection before the race after he felt the gelding put in “six lame strides” on the way to the barrier.
“I wasn’t sure if he had shifted a plate or something but he felt lame on the way to the start,” said Brown.
“If it wasn’t for that I would have probably driven him to the lead again today.
“I’ve always thought that he’s not a true leader and the way it’s worked out today I think that’s proved me correct.
“In front he’s a really keen going sort of horse, but he relaxed really well behind them today and showed a really good turn of foot.”
Trainer Brian Dean said Petrenui would be having a break now and in fact it may have been his last run for his stable.
“He’s only a little bugger but he’s done a pretty good job since he’s come here,” said Dean. “But it’s time for him to have a bit of a break.
“I think a break now will be very good for him and I do think he’ll be an even better horse following a break.
“He’s owned up in Malaysia and he’ll probably go up there at the end of the year for the Magic Millions race.
“If he doesn’t have another run for me, it’s been good to have him here.”
A four-year-old Australian-bred by Bletchley Park from Givem Heaps, Petrenui had three victories from four starts in Perth before coming to Singapore where he has registered three wins and two minor placings from six starts and collected around $150,000 in prizemoney for Rise Again Stable.
