Trainer James Peters predicted a handy future for Arc Triumph (NZ) after the Showcasing three-year-old made all to score a stylish win in the S$85,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on Friday night.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Zawari Razali, Arc Triumph shot jumped smartly from his barrier No 1 to assume full command from the get-go while odds-on favourite Lim’s Zoom (NZ) (Zacinto) had to work harder from his wide gate, but still ended up getting trapped three deep.
The Mark Walker debutant still tried to take the race to Arc Triumph upon straightening, along with Ricardo Le Grange’s newcomer Good Catch (NZ) (Falkirk), but Zawari had saved the best for last.
Once the Malaysian rider asked his horse to go through his gears, the issue was soon put beyond doubt. Arc Triumph pulled away to salute at his fourth start, with one-and-a-half length to spare from Good Catch and another one-and-a-quarter length from Lim’s Zoom, who was clearly beaten by his bad gate.
The winning time was 59.49 seconds for the 1000m scamper on the Polytrack.
“He was gelded after his last start and has come back more mature and more tractable. He was a lot better,” said Peters, who was even more chuffed about the win given Arc Triumph was the first horse he bought personally.
“He showed good ability at his trials in New Zealand, and at his early starts here as well, but he did a few things wrong, like he ran off the bends.
“With gate one and a lot of inexperienced horses in the race, the plan was to go forward and Zawari rated him very well. From his last prep, he should get over more ground too.
“I think he should have a few more wins under his belt. He has a bit of a future here.”