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Singapore’s multiple-champion trainer Laurie Laxon reached a milestone on Sunday when he was the first of the 26 Kranji trainers to hit the half-century mark.
Although there is a long way to go before a ninth title is evoked, the gutsy win enabled the veteran Kiwi trainer to cement his current first place in this year’s ladder, staying four wins clear of long-time lamplighter Alwin Tan (who bagged one win courtesy of Warspirit earlier in the day).
“It’s a nice round figure,” said Laxon, who is never adverse to a quip.
Going with the law of averages and extrapolation (four months to go till season-end), Laxon has some work on his plate if he is to reach the century this year, but with his stable knocking in winners on a regular basis, a late flurry is possible.
Being the first to reach the 50-win mark this term was still reason for Laxon to rejoice, especially as the winner has been a major source of satisfaction to him and his connections, the Oscar Racing Stable, bouncing back from his last-start defeat in an 1800m Polytrack race a fortnight ago.
The Danroad five-year-old, who was brought in as a Derby hope, but, however, found the company in the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) way too rich when 11th to Spalato in July, led in that last race, but wilted to run third to War Time.
“It wasn’t such a bad run as he finished only three-quarter-of-a-length off the winner. I think he’s more of a turf horse anyway,” he said.
“Today’s race suited him better and we thought it would be better not to lead this time and stay out of trouble. He’s a one-paced horse, but he did sprint a little towards the end.
“The light weight was certainly a big help, too. Saifudin at 51.5kg, that’s pretty good value.”
Laxon later went on to better the score to 51 wins when $42 shot To Be Remembered (Alan Munro) finished just a shade better than $11 favourite Spun Gold (Corey Brown) to secure the last race of the 11-race programme, the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1400m, scoring by a neck.
Alfonso ($31), who was known as Ranfurly in New Zealand where he won one race, has now brought up his Singapore record to two wins and three placings from eight runs for stakes earnings just short of the $150,000 mark.
The race looked wide open when the small seven-horse field fanned out at the top of the straight, but Alfonso, helped by his low handicap, looked the goods when he grabbed the lead, which he never relinquished, even if he was inclined to roll out a touch inside the last 50m.
Debutant Quechua (Nooresh Juglall), who was sent out as the even-money favourite, lost no marks to run second another three parts of a length away, with Lucky Mission (Ivaldo Santana) third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 23.21secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Saifudin, who has been the lucky beneficiary of a few winning rides from Laxon in recent times, most notably aboard exciting four-year-old Daniel (two winning rides), was certainly grateful of the opportunities being afforded by the master trainer and the Oscar Racing Stable, who also owns Daniel.
“Laurie gave me the ride and I would like to thank him and the owners for picking me for those lightweight rides,” said the popular Malaysian hoop.
“When my horse jumped fast, I actually wanted to lead, but when I saw Tiger Master was faster than me, I decided to take a sit instead.
“He travelled comfortably and I just waited for the home straight to make my move. He hung out under pressure, but he attacked the line very well.
“He was actually maintaining the same speed as he is fairly one-paced. It was the other horses who were not making ground on him.”