Trainer Tan Hor Khoon and the ATL Stable continued their solid early form when they combined for yet another winner on Sunday.
After Special ID (Red Arrow), El Camino (NZ) (Tobique) and Awesome (NZ) (Showcasing) (two wins), the lime green silks again came to the fore with this time Special Force (NZ) (Falkirk) obliging at his seventh start for the relatively new outfit, grinding his way to the top prize under the strength of Benny Woodworth.
Resuming from a four-month spell but an imposing barrier trial winner two weeks ago, the Falkirk three-year-old looked fresh and keen when seen pulling double and shifting in and out for Woodworth throughout the 1200m trip of the $65,000 Initiation race.
Special Force settled slightly better as the tempo picked up into the home straight, but a minor placing was probably the best outcome for him when Lim's Samurai (Danny Beasley) looked to have the race shot to pieces as he stormed to the front with 300m to go.
Street Taipan (Alan Munro) tried to gun Lim's Samurai down with a stinging run on the outside while Special Force in his eye-catching red blinkers and shadow roll was not responding too kindly to Woodworth's urgings.
Somehow, he seemed reluctant to take a gap big enough for a double-decker bus to drive through, bobbing around like a pinball between Lim's Samurai and Street Taipan.
The win was slipping away and Woodworth needed to think quickly on his feet. Pulling his whip through to the left hand, the versatile Malaysian jockey turned on his theatrical English-style riding, and to his relief and all those who took Special Force's $30 quote first-up, the horse finally clicked up a gear to stick his neck in front of Lim's Samurai.
Tan hoped Special Force's win was a signal that his tendon issues were behind him.
"This horse rested for six months because of tendon problems, but he's been working well and trialled well two weeks ago. He was a bit fresh today as I think he is looking for longer," said Tan.
"Luckily he was on the Long Course today. He was green as well, but Benny rode him with plenty of vigour and he got home.
"It's good for the owner, who unfortunately is not here today. He has bought a lot of horses and I also have some other new horses and it's only now that they are coming through."
Woodworth jokingly gave a nod to a former English champion jockey to describe his grandstand ride in the last 100m.
"It was like Willie Carson wasn't it?" he said with a big grin as he brought up the name of the Scottish wonder rider, now turned TV racing personality.
"The horse pulled hard and was waiting for the home straight to let loose. It was hard work but he will improve from that run." STC
After Special ID (Red Arrow), El Camino (NZ) (Tobique) and Awesome (NZ) (Showcasing) (two wins), the lime green silks again came to the fore with this time Special Force (NZ) (Falkirk) obliging at his seventh start for the relatively new outfit, grinding his way to the top prize under the strength of Benny Woodworth.
Resuming from a four-month spell but an imposing barrier trial winner two weeks ago, the Falkirk three-year-old looked fresh and keen when seen pulling double and shifting in and out for Woodworth throughout the 1200m trip of the $65,000 Initiation race.
Special Force settled slightly better as the tempo picked up into the home straight, but a minor placing was probably the best outcome for him when Lim's Samurai (Danny Beasley) looked to have the race shot to pieces as he stormed to the front with 300m to go.
Street Taipan (Alan Munro) tried to gun Lim's Samurai down with a stinging run on the outside while Special Force in his eye-catching red blinkers and shadow roll was not responding too kindly to Woodworth's urgings.
Somehow, he seemed reluctant to take a gap big enough for a double-decker bus to drive through, bobbing around like a pinball between Lim's Samurai and Street Taipan.
The win was slipping away and Woodworth needed to think quickly on his feet. Pulling his whip through to the left hand, the versatile Malaysian jockey turned on his theatrical English-style riding, and to his relief and all those who took Special Force's $30 quote first-up, the horse finally clicked up a gear to stick his neck in front of Lim's Samurai.
Tan hoped Special Force's win was a signal that his tendon issues were behind him.
"This horse rested for six months because of tendon problems, but he's been working well and trialled well two weeks ago. He was a bit fresh today as I think he is looking for longer," said Tan.
"Luckily he was on the Long Course today. He was green as well, but Benny rode him with plenty of vigour and he got home.
"It's good for the owner, who unfortunately is not here today. He has bought a lot of horses and I also have some other new horses and it's only now that they are coming through."
Woodworth jokingly gave a nod to a former English champion jockey to describe his grandstand ride in the last 100m.
"It was like Willie Carson wasn't it?" he said with a big grin as he brought up the name of the Scottish wonder rider, now turned TV racing personality.
"The horse pulled hard and was waiting for the home straight to let loose. It was hard work but he will improve from that run." STC