Run It Twice’s second win at Kranji was greeted with loud cheers on Sunday, both for the win and also of the birthday kind, except that the ones blowing the candles were unfortunately not around.
The Class 4 galloper may not be a world-beater but the boys at the Premier Racing Stable always get a kick every time he goes around, and none would have got a better kick than part-owner Harlan Camilleri and Premier’s bloodstock consultant Josh McLoughlan on Sunday even if they were not physically present at the winner’s box.
“It’s a perfect birthday gift for Harlan and Josh. They are both not here but they will be rapt with that for sure,” said Premier Racing’s main representative Wade Burridge, whose father Steven prepares the winner.
“Harlan is the son of Joe Camilleri, a famous Australian musician who used to sing in the Black Sorrows.”
Ridden by Glen Boss, Run It Twice ($25) came from near last to unleash a withering run and finish over the top of the two runners who were battling it out in the straight, Timo (Matthew Kellady) and the $14 favourite Mighty Conqueror (Shafiq Rizuan).
In the end, Run It Twice went on to secure a soft win two lengths clear of Timo with Mighty Conqueror third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 10.39secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Burridge was, however not getting too excited with the six-year-old by Bradbury’s Luck just saying he can be a handy customer on his day. He was above all happy he has given his connections something to cheer about on Sunday.
“He was quite disappointing to be honest at his last few runs,” said the Australian handler.
“He’s only average, he’s a bit of a bridesmaid, but he did it well today. The fast pace suited him and he finished it off nicely.”
Returning from a two-day Singapore suspension, Boss was, however, not at his first day back as he did fly to Melbourne to ride Irish import Tom Melbourne in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
After leading out the big 16-horse field, the Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained Tom Melbourne weakened to finish sixth to impressive winner Jameka (Nicholas Hall).
“He went ordinary. I thought he would do better but he was overall disappointing,” said Boss.
“But it’s good to be back a winner here. I’ve ridden this horse (Run It Twice) a fair bit and today was the first time he got a proper tempo.
“He was really strong off that kind of tempo as he can be a one-trick pony. Today he got it right.
“Happy birthday to Harlan and Josh!”
