Punters could be forbidden for tearing up their tickets on promising three-year-old stayer Sing For Peace during the running of the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The lightly-tried son of Tavistock was sent out the $3.50 favourite from the in-form stable of Patrick Payne on the back of a good maiden victory at Wodonga earlier in the month.
But when rider Craig Williams was scrubbing his mount along well before the home bend while conceding ground, hopes of a Sing For Peace victory looked forlorn.
Switched to the outside rounding the bend, the Price Bloodstock owned gelding rallied to win by a length from Duke Of Hastings, who was held up for a run for much of the straight while Forest Diamond finished third as New Zealand breds filled the first five placings.
Winning jockey Craig Williams said it felt as it looked, with the horse going back before going forward.
“I thought he was completely empty and he was quite new and a bit lost when the pressure came on entering the bend,” he said.
“But once he straightened up and I saw the other chances (Duke Of Hastings) didn’t get a run on him, he felt like he was going to pick up and then he really picked up.
“Patrick Payne does a great job with his horses. He was third-up at 2400m on Soft ground.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t have a horse after having a nice run in the race but that is racing and we don’t give up until we get to the winning post and he showed why that fighting spirit has to live on until the end of the race.”
Sing For Peace carries the colours of prominent Hong Kong-based owner David Price under his Price Bloodstock Management.
Out of the Stravinsky mare The Nightingale, Sing For Peace was purchased by respected bloodstock agent John Foote as a yearling at Karaka 2020 from the draft of Woburn Farm for $140,000.
Bred by Lady Justine and Sir Patrick Hogan in partnership with Ray Johnson and his late wife Martha, Sing For Peace is a full brother to Singapore Horse of the Year Infantry, whose four stakes victories included the Singapore Derby.
Now the winner of two of his three starts, Sing For Peace’s breakthrough metropolitan victory is a timely one for Ray Johnson, who will offer a yearling three-quarter sister to the exciting young stayer by Tarzino as Lot 32 in Monday’s gavelhouse.com sale.
