There was no shortage of luckless runs in the concluding stages of Friday’s $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 2000m.
However, Keep Spinning, who has been a dead-set magnet for trouble of late, was for once the one who came through with no hard-luck stories, and most importantly, on top.
Steadied, checked or slow out of the barriers, you name it, the son of Keeper seems to have laid a mortgage on such post-race remarks, making it even harder on connections considering he always steams home for a place nonetheless, finding one better at his last two runs.
But jockey Alan Munro’s decision to settle Keep Spinning at the rear and take the uninterrupted run on the outside while the likes of favourite Sebrose (Manoel Nunes), Davinci (Corey Brown) and Brad (Michael Rodd) were all getting caught in traffic as the field got jam-packed at the 300m, was the move that finally righted all those wrongs on Friday.
Patiently handled by the English jockey, Keep Spinning ($18) made a beeline for the winning post once he was set alight at the top of the straight, defeating Davinci by half-a-length with Sebrose third a neck away and Gold Hill fourth another nose away.
The winning time was 2min 4.39secs for the 2000m on the Short Course.
Hill was relieved the Spinners Stable-owned galloper had been able to beat the jinx, especially after the frustrating run had been rankling a smidgin.
“I was a bit concerned by the pace around, which was a bit slow and he’s an out-and-out stayer who needs a genuine tempo,” said the British trainer.
“I can tell you he’s a long way above this class. He’s a real class act who hasn’t had much luck.
“I would say he’s still 80% of what he can really do. The best is yet to come from him.
“Maybe I can look at the Gold Cup, but to me, he’s more of a Derby horse for next year.”
The Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) is a handicap race that will be run on November 15 while the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) will be run next year in July, the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
Munro, who was at his first sit on Keep Spinning, said there was still room for improvement from the four-year-old gelding.
“He’s only a young horse, a bit tight in the knees,” said the English jockey.
“I didn’t think he would win until he really took off in the straight. There is more improvement to come from him.”
Keep Spinning has now established a record of two wins and three placings from 15 starts for stakes money edging closer to the $100,000 mark for connections.
