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It’s all onwards and upwards towards a clean sweep of all three Legs of the More Magic 3YO Championship series after ultra-smart three-year-old Affleck made it two-from-two in the second Leg on Friday night.
Regarded as Singapore’s best two-year-old last time in following his three wins, including the Group 3 Juvenile Championship (1200m) in July, Affleck has easily transitioned as the new star in the next age group up, so dominant was he again during his cruising victory in the $100,000 Premier Racing Bloodstock Stakes (1400m).
Not the best away, the son of Battle Paint, however, quickly mustered speed to beat off his eight rivals to the coveted leading role on the rails. Half the battle was won once the odds-on ($6) favourite secured that spot where jockey Danny Beasley just held him on a piece of cotton before letting down the handbrakes at the top of the straight.
Rock Esprit (Barend Vorster) did try to mount a challenge as he ranged upsides at the 300m, but it soon proved futile the moment Affleck went into overdrive, with Beasley barely flexing a muscle. The Oscar Racing Stable-owned gelding strode away to a three-length break in the blink of an eye before throttling down close home, which allowed Rock Esprit to cut back the gap to two lengths, just ahead of Hermano Menor (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and Know Each Other (Ivaldo Santana), who were separated by only a head.
The winning time was 1min 23.88secs on the 1400m on the Short Course on a track rated as yielding.
While the seven-furlong trip was considered as the only factor that could bring him undone, it was never the case. One person who did not need the race to unfold to be convinced was trainer Laurie Laxon who has already locked away the last Leg, the $150,000 Magic Millions 2014 More Magic 3YO Championship over the mile (November 7) as his precocious charge’s next assignment.
“He did it effortlessly tonight. Danny did not even give him a slap behind the saddle, just rode him hands and heels,” said the eight-time Singapore champion trainer.
“He did pull a bit mid-stage, but Danny just let him slide, which was the best thing to do.
“The other horses caught up because he eased down in the end. He’s definitely going for the last Leg over the mile now.”
Despite the ease of the win, Laxon was not quite ready to put Affleck in rarefied company just yet.
“Better Than Ever was the best horse I’ve ever trained here. I’ve had many other champion horses like Why Be, but this bloke will get up there one day,” said the Kiwi veteran.
“He’s still a bit immature and age will help him. We took a while to get him right as he’s had a few problems with low blood count, but nothing serious.”
Beasley was simply in awe at the way Affleck just went whoosh as soon as he gave him the slightest squeeze.
“He wasn’t happy on the ground and I tried to give him as easy a run as possible out there,” said the Australian jockey.
“With the rain we’ve had, anywhere else in the world, the races would be abandoned, but this track is just remarkable. Credit to the staff for the great job they have done on the track.
“As for my horse, he was never going to get beaten from where he was. I just gave him a slap up in the straight and he won as he pleased.
“He ran the 1400m out without any problem. It was a very soft win in the end, and I'm sure he will run the mile with no trouble at all. ”
Affleck has now recorded five wins and one second from six starts for stakes earnings close to $370,000 for his connections. The $37,500 bonus on offer was won by the fifth-placed Irrepressible (Azhar Ismail) the first of three eligible runners (must be purchased by Premier Racing Partnerships through Magic Millions) across the line.