Smart sprinter Flash Gift added a new string to his bow by claiming a victory on the turf on Sunday when taking out the $75,000 Recast 2005 Kranji Stakes C over 1200m.
Ridden by Manoel Nunes, the $9 favourite scored by a length-and-three-quarters over Board Walk (Barend Vorster) with Super Good (Alan Munro) a length-and-a-half away third.
The John O’Hara-trained galloper recorded a handy 1min 10.07secs for the 1200m journey.
Flash Gift has now had eight starts in Singapore, registering four wins and three second placings.The US-bred gelding’s first six starts were all on the Polytrack and the gelding only had his first start on the turf when second behind Bourbon Goldman in Class 3 grade over 1200m on October 20.
Nunes, who was landing his second winner for the afternoon, gave Flash Gift a perfect run in transit.
Board Walk led the way from Super Good and Bukit Rose Wood (HK Cheng) with Flash Gift enjoying a perfect trail in fourth position. Turning for home Board Walk still held sway with Super Good about to issue a challenge, while Nunes eased Flash Gift out three wide to start his bid for victory.
Flash Gift quickly joined the fray, taking the lead with 200m and drawing clear for a comfortable win in the run to the line.
Nunes, who had his first ride aboard the gelding when second at his latest outing, convinced O’Hara the best way to ride Flash Gift was from off the pace.
The jockey began teaming with the gelding in trackwork and worked on getting the four-year-old to settle.
“He used to pull all the time in his trackwork,” said Nunes. “My job was to teach him to settle.
“I had a talk to John and we had to get him to change his mind. All the horse wanted to do before was to run.
“He’s a lot more relaxed now. Once I was able to get him some cover he relaxed really well during the race.
“I pulled him out at the top of the straight and he was still a bit green. He wanted to hang in a bit and run around as well.
“But I was very happy with that result today as all the hard work has paid off.”
Flash Gift is by Lawyer Ron from Weekend Star and is raced by Saratoga Stable. His victory on Sunday took his prizemoney to around the $180,000 mark.
