Trainer Patrick Shaw will look to the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge with Damo, winner of the $75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1400m on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Argentinean-bred three-year-old was having his second start since arriving in Singapore and went about his work in good style.
Ridden by Barend Vorster, Damo scored by a length-and-a-half over Trudeau (Joao Moreira) with Jet Stream (Saimee Jumaat) a short-head back in third place.
Damo made his debut in Singapore on January 13 as a $12 favourite finishing in third place behind One More Minute after having a tough run from a wide draw.
Relishing the step up in journey to 1400m, Vorster was able to slot in easily on the outside of the leader Shining Glory (John Powell).
Vorster had Damo under a solid hold throughout the race until well into the straight where he pressed the button and opened up a winning break with 200m to run.
“It is never easy for a three-year-old to win against the older horses,” said Shaw following the win.
“He had a pretty tough run at his first start here but he was nice and fit for this his second run.
“I'll look at running him in the first leg of the Three-Year-Old Series and work it out from there after I see how he goes.”
The Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Three-year-Old Sprint over 1200m on March 30 opens the Three-Year-Old Challenge.
The remaining legs are the Group 2 $350,000 Singapore Classic over 1400m on April 22 and the Group 1 $500,000 Singapore Guineas over 1600m on May 18.
Vorster was suitably impressed with the victory and expects the gelding to make further improvement.
“He's a shy sort of horse that doesn't like to be crowded with other horses around him,” said Vorster.
“The draw the other day was tough for him and he had to really work hard all the way.
“He's a horse that is really light on his feet and he handled the ground out there tonight really well.
“He's a nice horse that should continue to win some more races here.”
A three-year-old by Lode from the Sonus mare Escarlatte, Damo had five starts in Argentina registering three wins over distances ranging from 1200m through to 1600m.
The win of Damo was the first victory in Singapore for the Tmen Stable in their new set of silks.
