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Trainer Sam Chua has been having a successful run with US-bred gallopers this season and it continued on Sunday when American Vision took out the $65,000 Ninetyfive Emperor 2005 Restricted Maiden over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Ivaldo Santana – who recorded a race-to-race double – American Vision scored by five-and-a-half lengths over Pied Piper (John Sundradas) with Shin Goong (Danny Beasley) a length-and-a-quarter away third.
Already with Enzo, Double S and Humour Town US-bred winners for Chua, American Vision added to the number with a stylish victory.
Santana, who won the $55,000 Super Racer 2004 Class 4 Handicap aboard Emblessed, had American Vision quickly out of the gates where he went forward to share the lead with Scholar (Mark Ewe) back to his inside.
On turning for home Santana asked American Vision for the supreme effort and the gelding quickly opened up a winning break which continued to increase through to the winning post.
With the success of the US-bred gallopers in his stables and their liking for the Polytrack, Chua has been on a bit of a spending spree in the US recently with more horses on the way.
“I've had some luck this year with the US-bred horses and I've got some more on way here soon,” said Chua.
“This horse has taken a bit of time to settle in and was very green early on but with two runs now he has shown improvement.
“I expected him to run a good race today but I didn't expect him to win as easily as he did.
“That was certainly a nice surprise.”
After a promising debut third placing on the Polytrack, American Vision raced on the turf at his latest outing on April 8 but struck some interference in the run and finished a long way from the winner Von Snitzel.
“He struck some interference last time but I also think he wasn't as comfortable on the turf as what he is on the Polytrack,” said Chua.
“Also drawing out wide wasn't any concern. He's a big striding horse so drawn wide he had no obstruction.
“He's a horse that has shown some good ability and hopefully there will be more wins in store for him.”
A three-year-old by Yes It's True from the Allen's Alyday mare Irish Daisy, American Vision was a US$24,000 purchase as a two-year-old. His three starts to date in Singapore have netted the Gladiator Stable a return of around $40,000 in prizemoney.