Singaporean trainer Alwin Tan was delighted to have earned his 200th win with the aptly-named Good News, and to double the joy, Dragon Spirit ran second to make it 1-2 in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 1 race.
The 45-years-old saddled eight runners in seven races on Friday night, and while Sparkling Star kick-started proceedings to run third in the first race (1200m Maiden race), and $9 hot favourite Ninetysix Power disappointed a little to finish fifth in the Initiation race over 1000m, good news indeed finally came in the third race for Tan.
Dragon Spirit (Lisa Allpress) took up the running, with Soul Commander (Manoel Nunes) tracking up behind. Tucked away in midfield, Good News (Rueven Ravindra) bided his time before he accelerated beautifully upon cornering.
Despite Allpress's efforts to keep her mount in front, $16 Good News proved too good as he shot past Dragon Spirit at the 200m mark, going on to win by a comfortable two-and-three-quarter lengths. Savage Storm (Oscar Chavez) claimed third spot another three-and-a-half-lengths away.
The winning time on the Polytrack was 1min 5.15 seconds.
Tan branched out on his own as a trainer in December 2009, after joining Japanese trainer Hideyuki Takaoka and subsequently local Sam Chua as an assistant-trainer since 2006. He enjoyed a fruitful 2014 season, securing seven Group wins locally (thanks to star horse War Affair and the reliable El Padrino), and even tasted his first overseas success when El Padrino claimed the inaugural Asia Challenge Cup in South Korea on 31st August 2014.
Elated with his new milestone, Tan, however, managed to keep his cool at the post-race interview. He mentioned that the Charge Forward four-year-old gelding's heavy impost of 58.5kg prompted him to hire a claiming rider in a bid to get some relief.
“He was dropping in class this time, and was given 58.5kg, so I suggested to the owner to get an apprentice (Rueven claims 2kg) to lower the carried weight.
“He has the ability in Class 4, but the current plan is for him to rest till next year.
“This season is only a week away from ending, anyway. I will take my time to work out a plan for him.”
Currently in second place on the local trainers’ premiership with 71 wins (six wins behind Laurie Laxon, after Thankfulness and Danny brought up two more wins for Laxon on Friday night), Alwin was keeping his fingers crossed for the last three meetings - as well as for the new year ahead.
“It’s tough for the premiership, but I will try my best," said Tan.
“I hope to get better horses for the new year, and hopefully find some winners in them.”
Rueven was at his first winning combination with Tan and was full of praise for the horse.
“He’s a Class 4 horse, and he travelled nice and well, finishing very strongly," said Rueven.
“I think the claim helped and made work easier for him.
“(It’s) good luck for me to ride his horse! Congrats to Alwin and the owner for his 200th win.”
Having won his fourth race in 11 starts, Good News has now racked up close to $170,000 in prizemoney for Tan.
