A La Victory
Back from a spell, the talented but quirky A La Victory (NZ) (Alamosa) gained the verdict in a head-bobber in the $100,000 Open Benchmark 97 race over 1400m on Friday night at Kranji in Singapore.
Resuming since running a long last in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) in November, A La Victory ($28) was poised to sail away to an easy victory when he "half pulled up," an old trick he has plied before.
Jockey Corey Brown had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to coax the reluctant customer to the line, narrowly defeating Dragon Fury (NZ) (Sufficient) and stablemate Titanium (NZ) (Tavistock).
"He got three-quarters of a length in front and he just pulls up on me," Brown said. "He does that all the time!"
"But he's won and that's what matters. He will win a big one for them soon."
Michael Freedman's assistant-trainer James Peters has not cast in stone any ambitious plan for the China Horse Club-owned gelding, but has not lost sight of the fact he is in his Classic Season.
"You turn four only once, and we would like to go towards the Derby with him," said the Englishman, referring to the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 10.
"We don't really know why he didn't run well in the Gold Cup. I think he can still go for 2000m, though personally, I think he's probably a better horse over 1400m to a mile when fresh.
"We gave him a long break after the Gold Cup and I was very happy with his trial behind Spalato last week.
"He was nice and fresh for tonight and again he showed he had heaps of ability, but he just needs things to turn right for him.
With that sixth win from 16 starts, A La Victory, a son of Wellfield Lodge stallion Alamosa and top class mare Everswindell, has now pushed his stakes earnings just a little over the $350,000 mark for his connections.
Resuming since running a long last in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) in November, A La Victory ($28) was poised to sail away to an easy victory when he "half pulled up," an old trick he has plied before.
Jockey Corey Brown had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to coax the reluctant customer to the line, narrowly defeating Dragon Fury (NZ) (Sufficient) and stablemate Titanium (NZ) (Tavistock).
"He got three-quarters of a length in front and he just pulls up on me," Brown said. "He does that all the time!"
"But he's won and that's what matters. He will win a big one for them soon."
Michael Freedman's assistant-trainer James Peters has not cast in stone any ambitious plan for the China Horse Club-owned gelding, but has not lost sight of the fact he is in his Classic Season.
"You turn four only once, and we would like to go towards the Derby with him," said the Englishman, referring to the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 10.
"We don't really know why he didn't run well in the Gold Cup. I think he can still go for 2000m, though personally, I think he's probably a better horse over 1400m to a mile when fresh.
"We gave him a long break after the Gold Cup and I was very happy with his trial behind Spalato last week.
"He was nice and fresh for tonight and again he showed he had heaps of ability, but he just needs things to turn right for him.
With that sixth win from 16 starts, A La Victory, a son of Wellfield Lodge stallion Alamosa and top class mare Everswindell, has now pushed his stakes earnings just a little over the $350,000 mark for his connections.