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It took a while but followers of Joao Moreira were shouting with joy after the win of Sulmona in the $75,000 Itmaybeyou 2006 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
With Moreira missing the previous three meetings due to suspension, punters didn't miss their opportunity to support Sulmona on Sunday, backing her down late to run the odds-on $8 favourite.
Racing on the speed throughout, Sulmona kicked clear early in the straight before recording a four-and-three-quarter length victory over Always Happy (Barend Vorster) with Kallisan (Alan Munro) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Trainer Michael Clements said Moreira had summed the race up perfectly saying his best chance of success was to try and lead in a race that was restricted to mares.
Jumping smartly from barrier two, Moreira held the inside running from the other highly fancied contender Dollhouse (Jacky Low) to the home turn before booting clear and going on for a comfortable victory.
“Joao came out and said to win the race that he would go out and try and lead,” said Clements.
“Joao read the race perfectly but importantly he also rode the perfect race.”
The victory turned around the fortunes of Sulmona who was beaten nine lengths by Dollhouse at their last meeting back in February.
“There was something amiss with her the last time she met Dollhouse but she turned it around today for a good win,” said Clements.
“There is one of these races every two months or so, so that is what we'll be aiming her at again.
“These races restricted to the fillies and mares are certainly a welcome addition.”
Moreira said it was “good to be back winning again” after missing the previous three meetings.
“I thought Dollhouse would be very hard to beat but Michael was also confident that this mare would also run well,” said Moreira.
“I just wanted to hold my position on the inside when Dollhouse came up to me, but when I asked her she gave me a very good kick and raced away for a good win.
“Hopefully she will be hard to beat again when a similar type of race comes around.”
A four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Van Nistelrooy from the More Than Ready mare Pretty Ready, Sulmona has now won three of her 16 starts with seven minor placings and around $180,000 in prizemoney for the Sulmona Stable.