Alibi
Singapore Turf Club
Impressive Darci Brahma four-year-old Alibi continues to raise his stocks after he stormed home to a convincing win in the $80,000 Any Humour 2009 Stakes, a Class 3 race over 1400m on Sunday.
New Zealand-bred Alibi is a three-time winner from four starts, and this latest win may well have signalled him as a major force to reckon with in the future.
Trainer Michael Clements certainly seems to think so as he has already earmarked the Singapore Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on November 18 as his first big target by the end of this year.
Dropped back worse than midfield but on the rails courtesy of his barrier No 1, Alibi (Vlad Duric) smoked his pipe while Hermano Menor (Salim Yusoff) dictated terms at a steady tempo upfront.
As the 11 horses swung for home, aided by his soft lead, Hermano Menor easily held off Fortune Winner and was at that moment being hailed the winner.
But his time at the head of affairs was numbered when $14 favourite Alibi started to motor home on the outside. The game entire did in the process cross into My Brothers Keeper's (Danny Beasley) to check at the 200m, but he did not stop rolling, going on to defeat Hermano Menor by 1 ΒΌ lengths.
"This was another test for him against Class 3 company and some established runners, but he's passed it very well and I'm very pleased with that," said Clements.
"As you know, he's better off coming from behind and he showed it at his last start. He's probably more comfortable over 1400m and we will head to the EW Barker Trophy with him later on."
One person who is guaranteed to be a big part of that journey is Duric, who did not panic when they got shuffled back further back than expected, biding his time before unleashing the engine full throttle inside the last 250m.
"He was in a spot further back than I wanted, around three back, but I had every confidence in him," said Duric.
"I pulled the rein at the right moment and he came off their back for his run. Steve's (Steven Burridge) horse had a claimer (Salim) on him and I was a little bit worried he would get away from us.
"But he showed great quality to find the line. He's a neat horse with a great turn of foot and I'm sure he'll go further on what he has shown."
With that fourth win, Alibi has brought his takings past the $170,000 mark for the Alibi Stable. He was a $90,000 purchase at the 2014 Ready to Run Sale from the draft of Esker Lodge.
New Zealand-bred Alibi is a three-time winner from four starts, and this latest win may well have signalled him as a major force to reckon with in the future.
Trainer Michael Clements certainly seems to think so as he has already earmarked the Singapore Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on November 18 as his first big target by the end of this year.
Dropped back worse than midfield but on the rails courtesy of his barrier No 1, Alibi (Vlad Duric) smoked his pipe while Hermano Menor (Salim Yusoff) dictated terms at a steady tempo upfront.
As the 11 horses swung for home, aided by his soft lead, Hermano Menor easily held off Fortune Winner and was at that moment being hailed the winner.
But his time at the head of affairs was numbered when $14 favourite Alibi started to motor home on the outside. The game entire did in the process cross into My Brothers Keeper's (Danny Beasley) to check at the 200m, but he did not stop rolling, going on to defeat Hermano Menor by 1 ΒΌ lengths.
"This was another test for him against Class 3 company and some established runners, but he's passed it very well and I'm very pleased with that," said Clements.
"As you know, he's better off coming from behind and he showed it at his last start. He's probably more comfortable over 1400m and we will head to the EW Barker Trophy with him later on."
One person who is guaranteed to be a big part of that journey is Duric, who did not panic when they got shuffled back further back than expected, biding his time before unleashing the engine full throttle inside the last 250m.
"He was in a spot further back than I wanted, around three back, but I had every confidence in him," said Duric.
"I pulled the rein at the right moment and he came off their back for his run. Steve's (Steven Burridge) horse had a claimer (Salim) on him and I was a little bit worried he would get away from us.
"But he showed great quality to find the line. He's a neat horse with a great turn of foot and I'm sure he'll go further on what he has shown."
With that fourth win, Alibi has brought his takings past the $170,000 mark for the Alibi Stable. He was a $90,000 purchase at the 2014 Ready to Run Sale from the draft of Esker Lodge.