Just the sole meeting in Singapore over the weekend with the David Kok trained Speedy Dragon the stand-out performer on the 11 race card.
Lining up in the Group 3 New Year Cup, Speedy Dragon displayed a sharp return to form when simply too good over the 1200m journey.
A winner of seven of his 18 starts, Speedy Dragon had only been fair in two runs to begin this campaign, but clearly appreciated getting back on the all-weather surface.
Of his seven wins, six have come on the polytrack including five minor placings from 15 attempts.Ridden by Harry Kasim, Speedy Dragon only began fairly before pressing forward to settle outside the lead passing the 700m.
Despite caught three-wide, Kasim didn't panic and kept Speedy Dragon in a comfortably rhythm, taking over on straightening.In two strides Speedy Dragon gave Nova Swiss (leader) windburn and drew two lengths clear.
Displaying a good turn of foot Speedy Dragon raced away and quickly put the race to bed.The Leticia Dragon trained Fortune Winner worked home well to finish second, however she was clearly no match for Speedy Dragon.
Ridden out Speedy Dragon went on to score by just under three lengths and returned a new career peak in the process.His first success in stakes company, Speedy Dragon confirmed the promise he had shown early, winning three of his first five starts.
Relatively lightly raced for a six-year-old, Speedy Dragon has been halted by niggling problems, often hounded by knee chip issues.After finishing unplaced in the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint [1200m], Speedy Dragon underwent his third surgery with Kok doing a great job to nurse him back to health.
Although failing to fire in two runs in the lead up, Kok said post-race that he was confident Speedy Dragon was nearing his peak and right he was.Improving three pounds on his previous best, Speedy Dragon certainly appears back on track and if able to remain injury free he looks to have more to offer in the New Year.
