Debt Collector
Singapore Turf Club
Debt Collector unleashed an explosive turn of foot to land the $350,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) and give his jockey Michael Rodd a fitting comeback win.
The son of Thorn Park settled in midfield and showed an inclination to overrace at times, but Rodd's silky skills still had him poised in a perfect spot at the top of the straight, just sweating on a gap to appear.
None came up for a while but once Rodd yanked him out towards some galloping room right on the heels of Magnum (Corey Brown), the race was all over in the twinkling of an eye. Though hanging in baldy, Debt Collector extended the best inside the last 100m to emerge an impressive 1 ½-length winner from Nova Strike (Manoel Nunes).
Magnum, drew a horror gate, two berths in from the outermost alley in the big 16-horse field. Nevertheless he loomed as the winner at the 300m after being caught five deep. Though the early effort took its toll in the end, the son of Per Incanto still battled on gamely to hang on for third place another half-length away.
But all honours to Debt Collector, who had slipped under the radar a little in spite of his sound record of two pulverising wins at his last, probably overshadowed by other impressive sorts like favourite Mr Scorsese (Vlad Duric) and even stablemate Fitzroy, but trainer Cliff Brown knew that the Kiwi galloper was not there to make up the numbers.
"I'm very pleased with that win. The other two also ran well," said the Australian handler who also saddled Magstock (Alan Munro) in the second Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
"Debt Collector has always shown ability from Day 1 and the way he finished today did not surprise me. He'll be a definite starter in the Guineas."
The Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) is the third and final Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge and will be run on May 15.
One jockey who will definitely put his hand up for the Debt Collector ride in the Guineas is Rodd, who could not believe his second day back from an injury-enforced break had thrusted him back in Group limelight.
"Debt Collector has so much untapped potential. He was floating coming into the straight and when I got to the outside part, he wanted to lay in, but he had the best momentum in the end.
"It's nice to be back. It's definitely better than watching on TV."
With that third win, Debt Collector has brought earnings past the $250,000 mark. Bred by Windsor Park Stud, he was offered by Prima Park at the 2014 Ready to Run Sale and purchased by Cliff Brown Racing for $120,000.
The son of Thorn Park settled in midfield and showed an inclination to overrace at times, but Rodd's silky skills still had him poised in a perfect spot at the top of the straight, just sweating on a gap to appear.
None came up for a while but once Rodd yanked him out towards some galloping room right on the heels of Magnum (Corey Brown), the race was all over in the twinkling of an eye. Though hanging in baldy, Debt Collector extended the best inside the last 100m to emerge an impressive 1 ½-length winner from Nova Strike (Manoel Nunes).
Magnum, drew a horror gate, two berths in from the outermost alley in the big 16-horse field. Nevertheless he loomed as the winner at the 300m after being caught five deep. Though the early effort took its toll in the end, the son of Per Incanto still battled on gamely to hang on for third place another half-length away.
But all honours to Debt Collector, who had slipped under the radar a little in spite of his sound record of two pulverising wins at his last, probably overshadowed by other impressive sorts like favourite Mr Scorsese (Vlad Duric) and even stablemate Fitzroy, but trainer Cliff Brown knew that the Kiwi galloper was not there to make up the numbers.
"I'm very pleased with that win. The other two also ran well," said the Australian handler who also saddled Magstock (Alan Munro) in the second Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
"Debt Collector has always shown ability from Day 1 and the way he finished today did not surprise me. He'll be a definite starter in the Guineas."
The Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) is the third and final Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge and will be run on May 15.
One jockey who will definitely put his hand up for the Debt Collector ride in the Guineas is Rodd, who could not believe his second day back from an injury-enforced break had thrusted him back in Group limelight.
"Debt Collector has so much untapped potential. He was floating coming into the straight and when I got to the outside part, he wanted to lay in, but he had the best momentum in the end.
"It's nice to be back. It's definitely better than watching on TV."
With that third win, Debt Collector has brought earnings past the $250,000 mark. Bred by Windsor Park Stud, he was offered by Prima Park at the 2014 Ready to Run Sale and purchased by Cliff Brown Racing for $120,000.