Debutant Hero Success franked his solid barrier trial form to score a determined win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The New Zealand-bred three-year-old by Canny Lad brought home the sparkling form that saw him register a slashing three-length win in a barrier trial in Paeroa last May by prevailing at one of his two Kranji trials, running a close second to Cobrador at the other.
Ridden by Soo Khoon Beng and backed down to $8 favouritism at his Singapore race debut, Hero Success galloped alongside leader My Tricia (Joao Moreira) from the start before hitting the front upon straightening. Tomorrows Dreams (Ivaldo Santana) looked like the only one who could stall the favourite as he came charging home on the outside, but well ridden by Soo, Hero Success sustained his run all the way to the line to score by one length from a very gallant Tomorrows Dreams.
As an illustration of the first two’s clear superiority, they finished more than three lengths clear of second placegetter My Tricia. The winning time was 59.05 seconds.
Trainer Desmond Koh said Hero Success was never in doubt the moment he took up a handy spot in the 1000m dash.
“On his trial form, we gave him a very good chance and he didn’t disappoint,” said the Singaporean handler.
“The owner (Wilson Racing Stable) bought him in New Zealand after he won a trial there. He won one here as well, which goes to show he was a ready-made horse.
“He stalked the speed from the start and made his move at the right time. In the home straight, he just ground the speed down to win the race.
“It’s hard to predict how far he’ll go at this stage as the race was made up of a lot of horses who were either at their first or had only a handful of starts. We’ll see how he develops but the signs are promising.”
Soo, who partnered Koh’s 11th winner at both his local barrier trials, said he had not hatched any specific plan in readiness for the race.
“I didn’t have any plan. Just jump out and see how (things pan out),” said Soo. “I wanted to see if there would be anyone who wanted to set the pace first.
“I was happy to sit outside the leader and in the home straight, he gave a very nice kick. He was very professional and was not green at all, which shows he had been well educated in New Zealand.
“He never got tired. Even if it was over 1200m, he would have still won.”
