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Trainer Leticia Dragon’s sole runner Nimble sprinted home to make it two-from-two in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1200m on Sunday.
The progressive galloper showed his ability when he scored his debut win in a Class 4 Premier race over 1200m on the Polytrack on October 26. Dragon then stepped it up further by throwing him into the deep end at his following start.
Despite the likes of proven Class 3 opponents such as Chocante (Vlad Duric), Yabadabadoo (Glen Boss), and the up-and-coming Made In Russia (Craig Grylls) figuring in the line-up, Nimble looked well on his way when he jumped on terms to settle on the rails for first-time partner Michael Rodd.
Mr Luck (Wong Chin Chuen), Justice Glory (Azhar Ismail), Yabadabadoo and Safeer (Hanafi Noorman) were locked in a fierce four-way battle at the head of affairs, with Mr Luck slightly taking the lead as the pack rounded the turn.
Tucked in behind Mr Luck and Yabadababoo, Nimble, the second-favourite at $18, spotted a gap at the 300m as Justice Glory rolled off. Rodd gave a few cracks of the whip and the four-year-old son of Patronize sprinted away to a one-and-a-half-length win from Yabadabadoo, who held on well in second.
Mr Luck came home another half-a-length away to finish third. $11-favourite Made In Russia, who was posted three wide, made up ground late and was nosed out in fourth.
The winning time was 1min 12.04secs for the 1200m on the all-weather surface.
Prior to his Kranji debut, the MMW stable-owned gelding raced 10 times in Australia when he was named The Shoe, winning his debut in a 1200m race in Pinjarra for Perth jockey-turned-trainer Stephen Miller.
Dragon was pleased that she may have uncovered a possible gem in her yard. She is now keen of trying him on the local turf, but would like to keep him to the sprints for now.
“It’s a nice win. Michael Rodd rode him a treat today, and he seems to be a really nice horse,” said the local handler of her 17th winner of the season.
“I was looking for a horse for the owners and my friend Sharon King mentioned that he has a lot of potential, could do well in Singapore, and asked for me to consider him. And we did.
“I think he’s got a lot of potential for next year and I’m looking forward to that.
“At the moment, I think I will keep him to where he likes it, over the 1200m.
“But I would also like to try him over the turf in future. I think he should do well, as he showed it in his form in Australia.
“I will tip him off for next year now.”
Rodd was impressed by his mount’s effortless run in the race, but the affable rider did not forget to give thanks to fellow Australian John Powell and previous race partner of Nimble’s, who was suspended for two months for his ride on Paparazzi two weeks ago.
“He was going so easy, he’s a lovely horse and he couldn’t be more impressive,” said Rodd.
“He’s got a really nice action. Once he got out, his acceleration showed, it was just brilliant and he sped off once he got to the front.
“There’s a lot to come from this bloke, he’s got the right attitude. It’s exciting to see what he can do.
“He will get 1400 to a mile. He’s very laid-back, so he will definitely get more of a trip.
“I have to thank JP too. He got me on this horse pretty early, a couple of weeks ago when he knew he couldn’t ride.”
With his two wins in Singapore, Nimble has taken home slightly more than $80,000 for his new owners, on top of his total earnings of A$96,146 in Australia.
Rodd brought up a hat-trick of wins this weekend, having saluted on Street Party for James Peters on Friday and Ol Mate Buzzer for Young Keah Yong and Nimble for Dragon on Sunday.
He currently stands on 69 winners in second place. Leader Duric kept the title race going as he too booted home three winners, namely Looks Good and Boy Wonder on Friday, and Dreamer Legend for Bruce Marsh on Sunday, ensuring he is now two clear of Rodd on 71 winners.
