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Short-priced favourite Calombaris did not let his legion of backers down with a fluent all-the-way win in the $55,000 Class 4 Division 1 race (Polytrack) over 1000m on Friday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Happy Giggle four-year-old was resuming from a three-month spell since his last-start fighting win in a 1200m race over Polytrack. Strong support came on the strength of his solid form on the track and the punters were proven right once jockey Danny Beasley punched him out of his barrier No 8 to take up the running.
Calombaris ($9) dictated his own terms and was never given any anxious moments by his nine rivals. At the top of the straight, Beasley let rip and Calombaris stretched out to open up by three lengths, but shortened up late, allowing Hearts (Joao Moreira) to close the margin down to only 1 ¼ lengths.
Pegasus Victory (V Sivan) ran third another two lengths away. The winning time was 59.66secs.
Calombaris, who is owned by Richard Ng, has now recorded two wins and two seconds from four starts, giving trainer Cliff Brown every reason to smile at the winner's circle.
“It's a nice win for all concerned. We've had to give him a break after he had so many trials to correct his barrier manners last year,” said Brown.
“He was absolutely fatigued after all these trials and we gave him a break and he's come back a more settled horse.
“He's not an easy horse to train as he can be quite temperamental, but he's done a good job. It wasn't the strongest field he beat today but it's still a nice win.”
Beasley, who has now partnered him at all his four starts, said Calombaris was no world-beater but can be quite handy for his connections up to 1100m.
“He did it quite easily. He was never out of second gear,” said the Australian hoop who was at the double having scored earlier with Fly Freely to bring his tally to nine wins.
“He used to be quite a monster, a hot-head but he's improved now and has learned to settle a lot better.
“He's no super star but I think he can win his fair share of races up to 1100m here.”