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Progressive four-year-old Well Done stole the show on Sunday evening when handing trained David Kok his second success at the elite level taking out the Group 1 Patron's Bowl.
Kok collected his first Group 1 success in 2013 when former stable star Cash Luck proved too strong on-speed in the Panasonic Kranji Mile [1600m].
While obviously a career highlight, Sunday's effort quickly usurped Kok's previous success as his finest moment as a trainer in Singapore."This is my best day in the office. Of course, Cash Luck’s Kranji Mile meant a lot to me as it was my first Group 1 win but this one is even more special because I had Well Done right from the start,” Kok said.
"We started from zero and I still remember his first race when he just went off the track with Ivaldo Santana. He was still unlucky at his next runs, but when he won his first race, I knew he would become a very good horse for us."A winner of six of his 16 starts, Well Done has made remarkable improvement this time in placing in all seven attempts, including four wins.
All in all he has improved 27 pounds since his first up success and is clearly a galloper heading in the right direction.A dominant winner on the polytrack two back, Well Done proceeded to take that next step on Sunday when too strong late in the piece.
Ridden by the much in-form Glen Boss, Well Done settled in the back half of the field with the Laurie Laxon trained Affleck controlling the tempo out in front.Caught in behind horses on straightening, Boss was forced back to the inside before really knuckling down over the final 200m.
Affleck looked to have a pinched a big enough break early in the straight before only swamped in the final 50m.The Patrick Shaw trained Majestic Moments loomed ominously on the outside but Well Done proved too strong edging out the latter on the line.
The Hideyuki Takaoka trained Believe Yourself continued her great run of form working home well to finish third with Affleck surprisingly missing the placings.Race favourite Titanium was never a winning chance and failed to repeat his performance from the Steward’s Cup.
While clearly capable when right, this is not the first time Titanium has failed to live up to market expectations as he again burnt punters.The Group 1 Singapore Derby [2000m] now appears a logical target for Well Done with his performance on Sunday returning a clear new career peak.
Barring War Affair’s breath taking performance in the 2015 Patron’s Bowl, Well Done’s effort isn’t rated far off some other significant victors of the Patron’s Bowl.From an historical perspective he sits below past winners Spalato, Super Easy and Ato however his performance still holds plenty of merit.
Only tried over 2000m once previously in his career, Well Done finished third behind both Blue Danube and Bourbon Goldman.Since that performance he has improved considerably and while some may query his stamina, Well Done is a last start winner and is clearly racing in great heart for the Kok stable.
On the same card the Laurie Laxon trained Mr Spielberg also stamped his claims for the Singapore Derby following a sharp return to form in the third event.Earmarked as a possible Singapore Gold Cup contender last season, Mr Spielberg struggled with his consistency but much like Titanium he is quite the talent when right.
His victory on Sunday was his first in over a year breaking a losing sequence of nine runs.While obviously not rated as high as Well Done he appears back on track and the decision by Glen Boss to ride him over Well Done is a decent push for his chances.
At this stage the Singapore Derby remains quite an open affair in what should prove a very competitive contest.