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It may have been a modest Restricted Maiden race, but Heracles etched his name in the history books as the first Italian-bred to race and win in Singapore from recent memory when he scored at his racing debut on Friday night.
The Cliff Brown-trained galloper is by Irish sire Fast Company but was foaled down in Italy before being shipped back to England where he was purchased by his new owners, the Olympian Stable, who calls all their horses after Greek gods.
Brown actually thought Heracles might somehow need the run in the $75,000 Canadian 5-Pillars Cup, a Restricted Maiden race over 1000m, as he was not exactly 100% there in his racing mannerism, but was pleasantly surprised with the final outcome.
Settled in fourth place by jockey Corey Brown behind the pace set by favourite Golden Bobo (Danny Beasley), Heracles ($28) shaped up as a potential threat as he steadily improved around horses to sit in a striking position by the home turn.
Golden Bobo reacted when Heracles edged alongside but the momentum was with the Italian gelding who knuckled down to the task inside the last 100m to draw clear to a 1 ½-length win from Golden Bobo. Bullish Luck (Vlad Duric) ran on for third another length away.
The winning time was 1min 0.75secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
Both Browns were glad the newcomer has brought his A-game at the races.
“He jumped a bit awkwardly and took a while to get going but the more he got revved up, the more he worked into the race,” said the jockey.
“The field started to fall away but from the half-mile they steadied up and I then had a feeling he was going to win.
“He ran off the bend a little and I tried to stay with the other horses as long as possible as I didn’t want him to get lost. He then quickened real good in the last bit.
“It’s worked out good as we all thought he was not quite there, but I told Cliffy and the boys to let him go around for education.”
Brown, the trainer, agreed they were in two minds whether Heracles was ready to be thrown in at the deep end but they then decided to roll the dice.
“He’s still a baby but he obviously has some ability,” said the Australian handler.
“He didn’t show much in his trackwork, but tonight he tracked up well behind the leaders and though he looked a little awkward around the bends, he put the race away very well.
“It’s good for the owners to have another winner. They’ve got quite a few good horses and things are going very well for them.”
The Olympian Stable has 11 horses with Brown of which four have already won from the six starters – Poseidon (four wins), Hades (three wins), Ares (one win) and now Heracles.