Dropping Famous Artist back to short sprints proved a masterstroke when the Excellent Art four-year-old punched his way to a strong win on Sunday.
Deliberately ridden more off the speed of late in a bid to step him up to longer journeys, Famous Artist was returning positive results in that regard until trainer Desmond Koh suddenly decided to bring him back to the 1100m of the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C Division 2 race.
If the aim was to keep that sharpness in the gelding, it was certainly achieved to the best possible effect – with a win.
Switched off in midfield by Corey Brown, the Hong Kong-owned gelding just ambled along before being stoked up for his run at the top of the straight.
Lamplighter Blue Diamond (Amirul Ismadi) was already a spent force while Eatons Gold (Shafiq Rizuan) was not quickening away as expected.
Argentinian sprinter The Nutcracker (Barend Vorster) gave the impression he could have a good shot when he loomed up but the issue was finally put to bed when Famous Artist ($19 favourite) burst through the pack to hit the front at the 150m and stave off a late charge from second favourite Secret Mission (Olivier Placais) – who put paid to his chances when he bombed the start – who flew home late for second another half-a-length away.
Host The Nation (Oscar Chavez) ran third another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.76secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Brown, who was snapping a mini run of outs – his last win came with Hussonator on May 29 – said all the hard yards teaching Famous Artist to relax were finally reaping dividends.
“He was very aggressive when I first got on him, but all the work to get him to relax is finally paying off,” said the Australian jockey who was at his first win aboard Famous Artist after four associations.
“Last time, he would not be in the back half and he could not quite finish off but he hit the line very well today.
“To me, 1100m and 1200m are still his best go. I’m not saying he can’t get 1400m, but it’s just that he would be up in class and it gets tougher. He wouldn’t be ripping to the line like today.”
Famous Artist was posting his fifth win from 13 starts for stakes earnings that have now tipped over the $255,000 mark for his owner Michael Lam.
