Trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Joao Moreira rung up a running double when Nandowra scored a dogged victory in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 89 Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack.
Starting the $9 favourite, Nandowra scored a short head victory over Tarankali (Saifudin Ismail) with My Race (Koh Teck Huat) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
With victory on Friday night Nandowra has earned himself a month's break with Freedman saying he will now likely set the gelding for the Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m in July.
Moreira allowed Nandowra to lead early with Glownight Racer (Stephen Baster) before My Race, which had been a little slow to begin, was sent forward by Koh to take over the lead.
Nandowra was restrained to third place by Moreira but was proving a bit of a handful for the jockey by wanting to get down to the fence.
Turning for home Moreira allowed Nandowra to join the leaders My Race and Glownight Racer and with 200m to run he looked set to record a comfortable victory.
But out of the pack came Tarankali who with every stride – with the 6.5kg pull in the weights – was taking ground off the winner.
Luckily the winning post arrived when it did for the favourite punters.
“He's a lovely horse and just tries so hard,” said Moreira following the win of Nandowra.
“He had to carry 56.5kg and the two placegetters were down there on 50kg. He tried hanging in and it was a lot of work to get him to the line.
“We worked hard early in the race to get him near the pace and then he was hard work with the way he was racing.
“At the finish though, it was a good, tough win.”
Freedman said he would now give the gelding a break and aim him towards the Derby in July.
“He's had three starts this year and has won them all,” said Freedman.
“I think he's earned a bit of a break now. He can have a month off and then we'll look at preparing him for the Derby in July.
“He can be a bit of a handful. He's got a lot of ability but he's got that Zabeel in him whereby they can be a bit green, a bit like a two-year-old.
“I'm pretty sure he will stay so I will give him a chance towards the Derby.”
A four-year-old New Zealand bred by Savabeel (a son of Zabeel) from the O'Reilly mare Fabaz, Nandowra has won six of his 13 starts with a further four minor placings and the victory took his prizemoney to around $350,000 for the Results Stable.
