Hardy mare Dance In The Wind handed her Japanese trainer Hideyuki Takaoka his 400th winner at Kranji on Friday night.
The bold frontrunner was well rated by jockey Derreck David, taking full advantage of her bright jump from barrier one in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1800m, to go and make all the running with half-a-length to spare from her challenger, $13 top pick Magstock (Michael Rodd).
For a while, it looked like Dance In The Wind ($38), a Japanese-bred five-year-old mare by Screen Hero (same sire as Japanese champion Maurice), would not be able to reproduce her all-the-way win in a 1700m race at her last outing four weeks ago, but she dug down deep under David’s hard riding to get the money for the second time in a row.
Certainly (Manoel Nunes) ran on late for third place another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 49.02secs for the 1800m on the Long Course.
Unfortunately, Takaoka was not on hand to pop the traditional champagne after such milestones, but it is odds-on the unassuming handler would be celebrating that landmark win in his own quiet style wherever he might be.
David, who was at a riding double, after saluting earlier with favourite Southern Man, was delighted he was the one to have his name etched in a small way in Takaoka’s scrapbook.
“It’s nice to ride Mr Takaoka’s 400th winner. He has supported me since last October and I’m very grateful for that,” said the South African jockey.
“Well done to the owners (Galahad Racing Stable). She is a smart filly and I’m sure she can get 10 furlongs.
“She really quickens nicely when any challenge comes to her. I did not hit her behind, as she doesn’t like to take a hiding, just a couple of times on the shoulder.
“I’d like to dedicate that win to my beautiful wife Angelique who has given me a baby here, and also to my mum and dad who are here at the races tonight.”
With that second win from five local starts, Dance In The Wind has seen her budding stakes tally already grow to within a tick off the $100,000 mark for her Japanese owners.
