Back-in-form Iron Ruler scores steely win
A blanket finish to the Class 4 race over 1700 metres saw Iron Ruler (Dissident) come out on top of a dogfight to record a narrow win at Kranji yesterday.
After being ridden up with the pace, the five-year-old went for broke at the top of the straight as he collared race-leader Caribbean Lady (Your Song) but soon had the swoopers breathing down his neck left, right and centre.
For a second, the $56 shot looked like he would be gunned down with the prospect of some minor prize-money the most optimistic outcome.
But just when Iron Ruler looked like he would be gobbled up, he dug down deep to hang in there by a short head from a gallant Caribbean Lady, who herself staved off Free Fallin’ (Sacred Falls) by a neck with Sound The Siren (Snitzel) in fourth place, another short head away.
Iron Ruler, whose last win came almost a year ago in a similar contest, clocked 1 minute 46.17 seconds for the 1700 metres on the Polytrack, and was ringing up his fourth win from 23 starts.
“Iron Ruler is not an easy horse to ride in trackwork or in his races. He always hangs to the left, he’s better when he finds the rails,” said winning trainer Michael Clements.
“But today, he had a horse next to him and that worked out well.
“He’s a horse who races best when there is not too strong a pace and he’s up there and comfortable.
“At his last start, there was too much pressure on his inside and outside. The pace was too strong while today the pace was slower.
“He kept rolling down the back, hit the front at the top of the straight, and was very gutsy to the line.
“He has found the right place in the handicap and the conditions favoured him today.”
High Water rises to occasion
Debutant High Water (Rubick) sealed a successful start to the partnership between Hong Kong-based owner Kwok Chun Wai and three-time Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker with a victory in the open maiden over 1000 metres on the Polytrack.
Walker said he actually knew Kwok from New Zealand where he owns horses and broodmares, including a share in yesterday’s New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Noverre (Savabeel).
“I’ve known Mr Kwok for a long time in New Zealand. He owns horses in both New Zealand and Australia,” said Walker.
“Today he won the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas with a horse he has shares in. High Water won on the same day, it’s great for him.
“I hope he will send more horses to me from now on.”
Regarding High Water, Walker said: “His work has been good. He trialled on Tuesday week, but I didn’t gallop him this week as he was going over 1000 metres
“He got the run of the race and all the favours from barrier one. I think he’ll be a bit better over more ground.”
Just Because another smart debut winner
Auric Stable’s latest home-bred Just Because (Swiss Ace) made a flying start to his Singapore racing career with a convincing first-up victory.
After two barrier trials where the Shane Baertschiger-trained newcomer’s getaways were tardy, he showed a much edgier side in the restricted maiden over 1200 metres on the Polytrack.
Jumping smartly, the three-year-old was placed by Danny Beasley in a striking position before going on to score by a length and a quarter.
“We knew Just Because had ability but his barrier manners needed to be worked on. He missed the start at his first trial by five lengths and failed the test,” Baertschiger said.
“At his second trial on Tuesday, he was better even if he was still a length slow, but today, he began well.
“I just told Danny to ride him where he wanted.”
Beasley went on to ride a race-to-race double atop First Bowl (Battle Paint) for main supporter Daniel Meagher in division two of the Class 4 over 1200 metres on the Polytrack.