Whenever multiple-champion trainer Laurie Laxon celebrates a milestone, there is a high chance the Oscar Racing Stable is not far away from the party.
And the successful pair were at it again on Friday night when they popped the champagne for Laxon’s 1100th winner, Helen.
Besides racing in Oscar’s famous yellow and blue spotted silks, the debuting New Zealand-bred filly bears another “Oscar-winning” anecdote. Her dam is Torch, who provided Laxon with his very first Singapore win when known as Streisand back in 2000.
Also owned by Oscar Racing’s Mr Phua Chian Kin, Streisand returned to New Zealand after her Singapore racing career was over, and was then reinstated her Kiwi name of Torch when she began her new life as a broodmare. Her most notable foal was Clint who went on to win the Emirates Singapore Derby for Mr Phua in 2011.
With all those close relations weaved in under the Oscar umbrella, Laxon sure had a few yarns to spin at the winner’s circle, but was above all delighted he had achieved another landmark win with the help of his good friend Mr Phua.
“I didn’t realise I was one win short of 1,100 tonight until someone told me. Well, here it is,” said the eight-time Singapore champion trainer.
“Oscar Racing has given me a few milestones before. Alan gave me my 1,000th winner and Streisand was my first, and in between I’m sure there were a few as they sure have a lot of nice horses.
“This one was a trial winner and with the light weight, good draw (2) and a good ride from my apprentice (Rueven Ravindra), she won a nice race.
“She is a quick filly and her mother was my first winner in Singapore. She is a half-sister to Derby winner Clint.”
Sent straight to the lead by Rueven, Helen, who had the luxury load of 49 (half-a-kilo over) on her back and was sent out as the $17 favourite, dictated terms in front rather comfortably even with Irrepressible (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) not leaving her an inch.
Down the home straight, the Falkirk three-year-old conjured up another gear under Rueven’s urgings, but noticeably swished her tail a couple of times, which can be a worrying sign at times, especially with Irrepressible still snapping at her heels. Rueven pulled away the whip and Helen held on gamely to score on debut with one length to spare from Irrepressible.
Delfyne (Lisa Allpress) stuck on well for third, but another gap of 3 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 59.5 seconds for the 1000m on Polytrack.
Rueven said Helen was still green but can only improve with more runs under her belt.
“She will definitely gain more experience from that first run,” said the Malaysian rookie who has been attached to Laxon for close to a year now.
“She was pulling a fair bit and will need to settle down more in her races. In the home straight, she was green again when I hit her, and she got a bit tired too, but she did a good job to go all the way.”
