Following an outstanding recent trial Friday night’s meeting finally saw the former New Zealand galloper Turangawaewae make his Singapore debut.
Turangawaewae had raced just once previously in New Zealand as a juvenile going now narrowly in an open class two-year-old race at Trentham over 1200m.
That was over ten months ago and new trainer Laurie Laxon has done an amazing job to get him ready for a first up win in Singapore. Punters were anticipating a forward showing forcing his odds to shorten into $1.40 at jump time, however the issue was never in doubt.
Under Corey Brown, after missing the start he travelled up sweetly in the lead and although he took time to get the better of the runner up, Tuarangawaewae asserted his superiority in the final stages, racing clear to win comfortably.
He will take plenty of benefit from the run and Laxon will take his time to place him for another win when next produced.
Handy galloper Meteor Mike for trainer David Hill resumed from a lengthy spell in an open benchmark 97 handicap over 1400m and did enough to suggest he has another win in store this preparation.
Meteor Mike raced with the lead and covered ground during the race but still got into second place at the 200m mark before his condition ran out eventually finishing fourth behind Devil’s Cut.
A very consistent type when fit, Meteor Mike generally goes well second run back so be on the lookout when he is next produced.
Sunday’s 11 race mixed meeting on the polytrack and turf unearthed some good performances, none better than by the lightly raced Argentinian bred Lucky Mission who stepped up in class from a maiden win at his start prior to an impressive Novice Stakes win over 1200m.
Not many gallopers make that jump in consecutive runs but Lucky Mission has been a rapid ratings riser in just four race starts to date with more to come.
There was plenty of quality in the novice line up that Lucky Mission disposed of on Sunday and there is no doubt he will be better suited by a step up to 1400m.
One Smart Cat was the most impressive winner on the polytrack. Resuming from a spell he took out a Kranji Stakes C over 1000m in stylish fashion.
Under apprentice Hasri, he jumped straight the lead, judging the sectionals perfectly until given his head turning for home where he quickly dashed clear putting the race in safe keeping.
One Smart Cat is a polytrack specialist, all five career wins coming on that surface from 1000m to 1200m.
Another win beckons this preparation.
The Trials
A set of five barrier trials were conducted on the Polytrack on Tuesday morning with two outstanding efforts produced by runners engaged at Kranji on Sunday.
Group 2 winner Trudeau was the star performer of the morning, winning his 1000m hit-out under the guidance of trainer Bruce Marsh’s apprentice Zuriman Zulkilfi, recording a time of 1 min 00.55 secs when unextended in scoring by a half-length over one of Singapore’s better credentialed sprinters Mr Big.
Trudeau will be lining up for his first start since finish sixth over Sunday’s trip on New Year’s Day and will have the services of Corey Brown when he lines-up in a Kranji Stakes A over 1400m.
Prepared by Patrick Shaw, of Rocket Man fame, Slew Of Lode continues to be a star performer at the trials and like Trudeau was never out of second gear when finishing second in his 1000m hit-out under the guidance of John Powell when beaten a short-head over 1000m in a time of 1 min 01.53 secs.
Slew Of Lode is set to line-up in Race 10 on Sunday, the Class 3 Stakes over 1200m in which he will be partnered by Powell.
Slew Of Lode has had just the two starts previously in Singapore. Greenness cost him a debut Singapore victory when second to Strubeli before scoring a four-and-a-quarter length victory on the Polytrack at the final meeting of the 2013 season - December 15.
The Argentinean-bred gelding was also successful in a barrier trial back on January 9 and looks to be ticking over in superb fashion in his preparation for a return to racing on Sunday.
