Trainer Stephen Gray gave Daniel Moor his first winner for his current Singapore contract when February (NZ) (Sacred Falls) landed his maiden over 1600m at Kranji on Saturday.
“It wasn’t a strong race but he’s a lovely horse and he wants to stay now,” said the New Zealander, who pulled off a double with Gemilang in a Class 5 race over 1400m seven races later.
“We rode him too handy at his last start. We tried to ride him to win the race and it put him out of his comfort zone a little bit, so I said to Daniel to trust the horse, ride him quiet and let him stay, and he did.
“He’s a nice horse and could have won his second and third starts and he keeps turning up. He’s done a good job on a two-week back-up.”
“Small field, lack of any real speed – I was actually surprised they went at the gallop that they did,” said jockey Daniel Moor, who is on his second weekend of riding on a short 9 week contract in Singapore.
“He showed at his last start that he doesn’t finish off as well when he’s ridden a little closer in the field, but he’s a young horse with quality that’s still learning his craft, so we made it nice and simple to go back and found a nice spot three deep with cover.
“He took a while to get his act together and hit the line, but the strongest part of his race was the last bit, which is encouraging.”
Going forward, Moor reckoned that February has more to offer for his patient trainer and owners.
“He will get the development and care with Stephen who’s not afraid to take his time with a horse. The Falcon Racing (No 7 Stable) team are very good to me; they’re very patient owners, which is good.
“He’s (February) still developing, so even if it’s not this prep (preparation) or the next, he will really shine at his third preparation.
February’s first win from five starts took his prizemoney to over S$62,000 for the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.
February was sold by Riverrock Farm at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for $130,000 to Stephen Gray and Bevan Smith Bloodstock.
Other New Zealand bred winners at Singapore on Saturday included Gemilang (NZ) (Proisir) & Smoke And Mirrors (NZ) (Ocean Park).