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Smart galloper Ronnie Brown appreciated the drop in class with his victory in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1000m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Sent out the $8 favourite, Ronnie Brown, ridden by Joao Moreira, scored a two-and-a-half length victory over Petrenui (Danny Beasley) with Affirmation (Zuriman Zulkifli) a length-and-three-quarters away third.
Ronnie Brown ran the 1000m journey in 58.30 secs.
The Michael Freedman-trained three-year-old relished coming back in journey to the 1000m after finishing fifth and fourth respectively over 1200m at his two previous runs. He had previously been successful over 1100m on March 17.
Ronnie Brown and Petrenui were involved in a speed war for the 1000m journey with the bigger and stronger Ronnie Brown proving superior.
Freedman said that even though Ronnie Brown was built as though he would relish a longer journey, the trainer said he had finally figured out that the three-year-old was essentially a sprinter.
“I think he’s essentially he’s a 1000m or an 1100m horse,” said Freedman. “In his right race he can be pushed out to 1200m.
“Even though he’s built to get 1400m and a mile, I think he’s much happier at those distances.
“He’s done a good job today. He’s carried 58kg against the older horses and has given them a beating and has run time as well.
“It’s a pity the Club doesn’t run any 1000m feature races on the Polytrack as I think one of them would be right up his alley.”
The early speed battle with Petrenui had Moreira concerned on the hometurn that the $8 favourite would be left a sitting shot in the final stages.
“I thought I’d run second on the hometurn,” said Moreira. “The second horse had applied the pressure and I thought I may have been beaten.
“But my horse really responded in the straight. He’s a nice 1000m horse and showed a lot of fight.
“The distance was a little too far for him last time and that is why Michael brought him back in distance for this race.“Full marks must go to him for that decision as it worked out perfectly today.”
A three-year-old New Zealand-bred by Darci Brahma from Leigh Valley, Ronnie Brown has now won five of his 10 starts with a further two minor placings and took his prizemoney earnings to in excess of $200,000 for connections – the Mummify Stable.