Despite a wide run Joyluck proved too strong for his rivals in the $55,000 Class 4 Div. 1 Stakes over 1600m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Jose Verenzuela, Joyluck ran away from his rivals in the last 200m to score a four-and-a-half length win over Star Of Brazil (Joao Moreira) with Daad's The Way (Mark Ewe) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Trainer Bruce Marsh had “flashbacks” during the race as the gelding was caught wide in the run just as he had been at previous outings.
“I thought here we go again,” said Marsh. “He had been wide in his previous runs as well and I thought it would be tough for him again.
“But we decided to hold him up for a bit longer tonight. Last time he got to the front too soon and was run down.
“He was very impressive the way he went about his work tonight and I think he's getting a bit stronger now as well.
“Hopefully he can go on and keep winning.”
For Verenzuela the win of Joyluck brought up a winning double having earlier been successful aboard Blue Seven in the Initiation Stakes.
It was his 24th victory since arriving in March and the jockey set himself a target of 25 wins before the end of the month.
“I want 25 wins on the board before I start my suspension,” said Verenzuela who will ride on Sunday before missing the following three meetings.
“I'm really enjoying it here and importantly I'm riding well.
“Hopefully the luck will continue.”
Despite racing wide on Joyluck, Vernezuela was confident of success a long way from home.
“I got good cover behind (Barend) Vorster (on Park Avenue) and there was good pace on as well,” said Verenzuela.
“I didn't want to be getting to the front too soon as I did on him last time. I held him up well into the straight, but when I asked him to sprint he exploded away and kept running all the way to the line.
“He was very impressive tonight and there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to win again.”
A six-year-old New Zealand-bred by New Trumps from the Green Perfume mare Gold Horizon, Joyluck has now won six of his 47 starts in Singapore and accumulated around $230,000 in prizemoney for the Thunder Dance Stable.
