Lee Freedman landed the S$1million Singapore Guineas (1600m) with Mr Clint (NZ) (Power) at Kranji on Saturday.
He had added the silverware to his budding Singapore trophy cabinet courtesy of a superlative performance from Mr Clint under a peach of a ride from top Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton in the third and final Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
“It’s a great thrill to win a feature race here in Singapore. We’re here now and that’s what we have to do: Win these big races here, too,” said Freedman who later went on to train a double with Aotearoa (NZ) (Sakhee’s Secret) in the last race.
“This horse (Mr Clint) is not the greatest here, but he’s an honest sort. CK (owner Phua Chian Kin of Oscar Racing Stable) bought him for NZ$90,000 and shared him with Laurie Laxon (previous trainer for Mr Clint). It’s nice to train a good horse for them.
“I told Zac that he should keep him on the outside as he doesn’t like to be on the inside of horses. He was travelling so well and I knew he would be hard to beat then.”
Starting as the $21 favourite, the son of Power indeed made light of a wide trip worse than midfield before swinging for home looking full of running, and stamping himself as the fresh horse on the scene.
Purton said that Mr Clint, who also won the first leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, was always in the zone despite covering extra ground on the outskirts.
“I didn’t expect he would show a bit of speed early, even if he was overracing a little,” he said.
“I was able to put him back and he relaxed nicely for me from thereon in. He pinged in the home straight and was just too good.”
“There are no more three-year-old races now, so he’s going for a break,” said Freedman.
“We will then bring him back for the longer races later in the year.”
Laxon, who also owns Aotearoa, was a happy man twice over at the winner’s circle.
“I bought Mr Clint and I always knew he would be a good horse. He has a Zabeel mare, a Danehill mare and a Centaine mare in his pedigree, all royal blood,” said the legendary Singapore nine-time champion trainer.
“I own Aotearoa 100% and I think he will also become a good horse. He is my Derby horse.
Ridden by Daniel Moor, the Sakhee’s Secret mare just got up by a nose in the S$125,000 Better Than Ever 2010 & 2011 Stakes, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1600m. -STC