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Shadow Of War’s second win from as many starts on Friday night was quite a feat in itself, but the underlying sub-plot was that it may have well marked the tipping point in the trainer’s and jockey’s premierships.
The success gave trainer Alwin Tan his 85th win for the season to now put a space of 13 wins between him and Patrick Shaw. The gap is not as wide in the jockey’s log, but by going eight wins clear on Vlad Duric, Manoel Nunes’ bid for a third consecutive title is finally taking a more definite shape.
Tan and Nunes actually combined for a double on Friday as they earlier scored with Infantry while both Shaw and Duric drew blanks. Only five meetings are left to the end of the 2016 season.
Conservative minds would say it would be premature to start engraving their names on the trophies, especially for Nunes, but going with the current trends and barring accident, we have two winners, leaving the champion apprentice jockey title as the only one to maybe go down to the wire, with leader Wong Chin Chuen (Lightning Fast) and second-placed Troy See (Good Deal) both saluting on the night to maintain the status quo of a three-win gap (27 versus 24).
Neither Tan nor Nunes were popping the champagne, though. They are still keeping a close eye on their rear view mirrors, even if one could sense a hint of increased confidence in their body language.
“I don’t think I’m safe yet,” said a prudent Tan. “There are still five meetings to go, but 13 wins is a good lead to have at this point.”
The Singaporean handler, who is bidding for a first crown since beginning training in December 2009, would rather focus on his second winner of the night, a strapping three-year-old chestnut by Sebring, and raced by the Nova Racing Stable.
“He showed he was a speedy horse in our yard from Day 1,” he said.
“He drew an inside barrier at his debut win, but this time, he drew a wide barrier. We put blinkers on to help him focus better.
“The owner was actually worried why we added blinkers when he won without, like don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
“But I think they helped him settle better tonight. I named him after War Affair, but at this stage, he is just a nice sort, but not quite in the same league as War Affair.”
Tan revealed at Shadow Of War’s debut win that he was asked by the owner to pick a name, which he took the opportunity to inspire from the best horse to have run for him, but unfortunately left a huge void when he was moved to Bruce Marsh at the end of last year.
Nunes was also more interested in extolling the virtues of his 68th winner than talking about his sudden extended lead on Duric. He insisted he was far from over the line, but the smiles and the spring in the step were unmistakable signs of a better swagger.
“I’m not well clear yet. Vlad can still catch me if he has a few good days next week or so,” said the Brazilian hoop.
“But riding a double was good tonight, even if Alwin and I missed out in the big race with Nova Strike (sixth in the EW Barker Trophy).
“Shadow Of War is a lovely horse, but he’s still a baby. He still has a lot to learn.
“From the wide gate, I had to go forward and ride him handy, because that’s the way he likes to be ridden. He jumped very well and I was happy sitting outside the leader (Fat Power).
“He really tried very hard in the last 300m. He lowers his neck and gives his all.”
As Fat Power (Shafrizal Saleh) got wobbly legs at the top of the straight, Shadow Of War, who was punted down to $8 favouritism, was the first to pounce, drawing away steadily to go and post a comfortable victory, just under two lengths clear of Red Dawn (Matthew Kellady) with Stock Broker (Joao Moreira) third another short head away. The winning time was 59.22 seconds for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
Unbeaten in two runs, Shadow Of Star has already collected around $75,000 in prizemoney for his owners.
