Muscular Dragon
Singapore Turf Club
| A switch to turf proved to be a winning move for Iffraaj four-year-old Muscular Dragon on Sunday. After two creditable runs on Polytrack, Muscular Dragon passed his first test over turf with flying colours in the $65,000 Singapore Botanic Garden Stakes, an Initiation race over 1400m, on Sunday . The Iffraaj four-year-old ran a fast-finishing second to Silver Wind on debut, followed by an eighth to smart two-year-old Skywalk, but the switch to turf saw him quicken away with a much more devastating acceleration, albeit he was still very wayward in the home straight. After travelling worse than midfield for regular partner Danny Beasley, Muscular Dragon coursed out four wide to improve his position and be within striking distance by the home turn. As he flattened to the line, he looked like he would career away to an easy win but the greenness in him acted up as he laid in and lost his concentration at the 200m. But the experienced Beasley got him to put his head down to the job, and he certainly did not shirk it in spite of his obvious rawness, in the end scoring comfortably with two lengths to spare from a vastly-improved Johnny Kongos (Derreck David). Hoffman (Glen Boss), who wrested the lead at the 400m, looked the goods when he swung for home, but again, could not quite sustain his run to finish third another head away. The winning time was 1min 24.23secs for the 1600m on the Short Course. A relieved-looking Alwin Tan said Muscular Dragon brought an end to a recent run of bad luck. "It's good for the owner (Muscular Stable) who is a newcomer. It's also a boost for me," said the current leading trainer. "We had no winner on Friday and Black Magic bled. This winner has come at the right time. "He ran two times on Polytrack, but he looks like he runs on better when he is on turf." Beasley, who was riding back-to-back wins after he saluted aboard $15 favourite Lim's Casino in the previous race, said Muscular Dragon was still a big baby, but blessed with a lot of potential. "I watched his trials in New Zealand and he was brilliant," said the Australian jockey. "I think taking off the blinkers was also a good move. He is still not mature and not ready "He was still very green today, especially at the home turn and in the straight, but he sure has ability. He has a lot to learn." |