The wide barrier did not stop two-year-old Strike Gold (NZ) (Iffraaj) winning comfortably on debut over Ace Of Diamonds (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the S$75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m at Kranji on Saturday.
Trainer Ricardo Le Grange who trains both horses could not have been happier with how they both went.
“They both ran super,” said Le Grange, who was on a vacation in Japan.
“Ace Of Diamonds is a lovely horse. I was very impressed with his effort given they went quick early and he toughed it out late. He will be better over longer.
“But the winner (a two-year-old colt by Iffraaj) looked impressive. I had a chat with (jockey) Bernardo Pinheiro this (Saturday) morning and from the wide gate, we thought it would be best to ride him quiet and give him every chance to let down.
“I would have liked to see him corner better – we can work on that – but he let down nicely when asked and hit the line strongly like we thought he would.
“He (Strike Gold) has done everything right the minute we got him in Singapore and Bernardo gave him a beautiful ride.
“I’m always happy to win one for Eugene and the Yong family. They are long-time supporters of both (ex-Kranji trainer) Patrick’s (Shaw) and mine and I’m really pleased.”
Should all things go well, both Strike Gold and Ace Of Diamonds, who were already nominated for the Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1200m) will line up in the feature race for two-year-olds next Sunday.
Other New Zealand bred winners in Singapore on Saturday included Fireworks (NZ) (Ekraar), Raising Sixty-one (NZ) (Belardo), Outfit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), Smoke And Mirrors (NZ) (Ocean Park) & Lim’s Denali (NZ) (Darci Brahma).
