Favourite Air Force One boosted his Singapore Derby credentials with a powerful frontrunning display in the $60,000 Open Benchmark 67 race over 2200m on Friday night.
Bought by US businessman Adam Levinson with the 2000m showpiece in mind, the Pentire four-year-old can give the Stars & Stripes Stable connections and their entourage managed by Racing Guide boss Steve Levar reasons to dream of the bigger prize in July, though there was still a long way to go as well as tougher opponents to tackle until then.
Ridden by new partner Corey Brown, Air Force One, who had gradually been stepped up from 1400m, 1600m to 1800m at his previous three Kranji outings, led for the first time when he landed ahead of the one most thought would assume that role, Sing Express (A’Isisuhairi Kasim).
From that point onwards, Brown just timed his run to perfection, even opening up from the half-mile, rolling away with every stride from his eight rivals who decidedly looked like they had been caught napping.
Turning for home, Air Force One was in one race and the rest in another, but the gap started to narrow down at the 300m with the swoopers descending fast, headed by Kai Power (Zawari Razali) on the outside.
But those cheap sectionals Air Force One enjoyed in the first half of the race went a long way in making sure there was plenty of petrol left when Brown went for the stick. Kai Power chipped away but it wasn’t enough with Air Force One falling in by 1 ¾ lengths.
Ride Of Valkyries (Mohd Firdaus) also ran on well for third another one length away. The winning time was 2min 16.73secs for the 2200m on the Long Course.
Winning trainer Steven Burridge said the instructions to Brown about being positive were fluid, but he was obviously delighted things went their way from barrier to box.
“He’s a one-pacer and the plan was not so much to lead. He’s a horse who can jar out from the ground and I told Corey to lead if no-one else wants to and he was able to dictate,” said Burridge.
“Corey is a great tactical rider and the rest was pretty straightforward. It’s great for Adam and Steve as tonight is their night (Racing Guide Classic) and they had all their friends here to watch the race.”
Levar said it was a great thrill to see Air Force One keep up the good run for Levinson, who also races other winners like Vanderbilt and Risky Rockefeller.
“Adam and our families are great friends and it’s a great thrill for him and us at the Racing Guide this horse won tonight,” said the former Singapore Turf Club presenter.
“Steve has done a great job with the four to five horses Adam gave him. Air Force One can run the distance and he was bought with the Derby in mind, and maybe the Gold Cup, but we’ll enjoy tonight’s win first.”
Brown said the $16 favourite had a lovely run throughout and scored a dominant win in the end.
“He had a lovely run. He was just waiting for a bit of journey,” said the Australian hoop who flies to Sydney after the penultimate race to ride favourite Ghisoni in the Coolmore Classic on Saturday.
“He was game in defeat at his last run and just needed to get up in distance. We didn’t know if he would find the right race but this race was just nice for him.
“He dominated them from the start and travelled well throughout. He quickened up well, went up a gear without being sharp, but it was a good solid win.”
Air Force One, who was known as Winchester Club in Australia where he scored one win over 2080m, was bringing up his first Kranji win to bring his total stakes earnings, both locally and overseas, in excess of $55,000.
