Golden Curl
Gareth Pepper (Singapore Turf Club)
Old stager Golden Curl (NZ) ducked and weaved through the field at the right time to capture the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m on Sunday.
At long odds of $158, the Pentire eight-year-old was the rank outsider in the small nine-horse field, but proved the doubters wrong when he produced the best finish inside the last 400m to pick up his ninth career win for his owner Paul Hickman of St George Stable.
Dropped back at the rear ahead of just Blue Swede (Matthew Kellady) for most of the race, Golden Curl only started to warm up to the task the moment apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen started to stoke him up from the 500m.
The old boy, however, looked to have the task ahead with galloping room in short supply between the weakening Royal Ruler (Nooresh Juglall) and Laser Storm (Shafiq Rizuan) while race-leader White Hunter (Alan Munro) was still firing on all cylinders against the steel upfront.
But Wong was well inspired at the 300m when he ducked back to the inside, a spot Daniel (Glen Boss) was also vying for at that moment, but Golden Curl got there first and with only 50kgs on his back, he sprouted wings through the saloon passage that suddenly opened up to him.
Blue Swede was also finishing like a mail train on the outside, but Golden Curl, who was in receipt of four kilos from his challenger, fought hard to preserve a half-length advantage at the wire. Mr Fantastic (Barend Vorster) ran third another half-a-length away. The winning time was a smart 1min 21.41secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
With trainer Stephen Gray attending a wedding and unable to be at the races, it was left to his racing manager Gareth Pepper to heap praise one of the stable favourites.
"Golden Curl is a remarkable horse, he is a nine-time winner now and has been a great horse for Paul of St George Stable," said the South African former Singapore Turf Club racing commentator.
"The weight helped him, he's such a honest horse. At home, he is one of the better-looking horses, just looking at his condition and his coat. It was also a good ride by 'Jimmy' CC Wong."
The reigning Singapore champion apprentice jockey said he only listened to the riding instructions, and the brave chestnut just did the rest.
"I've got on this horse a couple of times (actually aboard at his last win in January), and we had a bit of luck today," said the Penang-born rider.
"He always gives 100% and is a simple horse to ride. I was on the inside in the straight and just waited for the gap.
"We got tightened up a bit but once he saw daylight, he gave a very good kick."
With that ninth success, Golden Curl has brought his handy haul of prizemoney past the $550,000 mark for connections.
At long odds of $158, the Pentire eight-year-old was the rank outsider in the small nine-horse field, but proved the doubters wrong when he produced the best finish inside the last 400m to pick up his ninth career win for his owner Paul Hickman of St George Stable.
Dropped back at the rear ahead of just Blue Swede (Matthew Kellady) for most of the race, Golden Curl only started to warm up to the task the moment apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen started to stoke him up from the 500m.
The old boy, however, looked to have the task ahead with galloping room in short supply between the weakening Royal Ruler (Nooresh Juglall) and Laser Storm (Shafiq Rizuan) while race-leader White Hunter (Alan Munro) was still firing on all cylinders against the steel upfront.
But Wong was well inspired at the 300m when he ducked back to the inside, a spot Daniel (Glen Boss) was also vying for at that moment, but Golden Curl got there first and with only 50kgs on his back, he sprouted wings through the saloon passage that suddenly opened up to him.
Blue Swede was also finishing like a mail train on the outside, but Golden Curl, who was in receipt of four kilos from his challenger, fought hard to preserve a half-length advantage at the wire. Mr Fantastic (Barend Vorster) ran third another half-a-length away. The winning time was a smart 1min 21.41secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
With trainer Stephen Gray attending a wedding and unable to be at the races, it was left to his racing manager Gareth Pepper to heap praise one of the stable favourites.
"Golden Curl is a remarkable horse, he is a nine-time winner now and has been a great horse for Paul of St George Stable," said the South African former Singapore Turf Club racing commentator.
"The weight helped him, he's such a honest horse. At home, he is one of the better-looking horses, just looking at his condition and his coat. It was also a good ride by 'Jimmy' CC Wong."
The reigning Singapore champion apprentice jockey said he only listened to the riding instructions, and the brave chestnut just did the rest.
"I've got on this horse a couple of times (actually aboard at his last win in January), and we had a bit of luck today," said the Penang-born rider.
"He always gives 100% and is a simple horse to ride. I was on the inside in the straight and just waited for the gap.
"We got tightened up a bit but once he saw daylight, he gave a very good kick."
With that ninth success, Golden Curl has brought his handy haul of prizemoney past the $550,000 mark for connections.