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Lightly-raced Full Toss could be a stayer of the future after a strong performance to take out the $65,000 Novice Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Leading from the outset, Full Toss, ridden by Danny Beasley, scored by a length-and-a-quarter over Spinning Success (Stephen Baster) with The Warrior (Azhar Ismail) two lengths away third.
The victory was part of a winning quartet for Beasley who had earlier scored aboard the Theo Kieser-trained stablemates of Dragon Spirit and Goal Keeper before taking the final event on the Cliff Brown-trained Lucky Xuan.
Full Toss, who was successful in an Initiation at his last start on May 18, was taken on in front by Northern Cat (Tan Wei Li).
On turning for home Full Toss rolled away from the fence and allowed plenty of room for Spinning Success to come through.
With 200m to run it looked as though Spinning Success had the measure of Full Toss before the winner gained his second wind and drew clear for a comfortable win.
Trainer Laurie Laxon – who was at the double having earlier success with Forgiven – said Full Toss could be a possible Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) contender on July 15.
“That was quite a gutsy win,” said Laxon. “He had that other horse (Northern Cat) come up to him mid-race and then he had to fight the runner-up off.
“He stays quite well so we'll see where he gets to in the ratings and if he's a chance of running in the race then we'll likely take it up.
“We'll take a different path to the Derby rather than going through the (Group 1) Patron's Bowl. We'll find a suitable race and see if we can keep him winning.”
Beasley was suitably impressed by the performance and said Full Toss would be even better when he had something to chase.
“With the blinkers on he was waiting for them to come up to him and it was only then that he got going,” said Beasley.
“He's shaping up as a pretty handy stayer. He'll have no problem running the Derby distance and possibly further.
“I reckon that he will be even better if he can get a sit in a race and have something to chase down rather than leading like he did today.”
Full Toss was having just his second start for the Laxon yard and his seventh career outing.
By the Redoute's Choice sire Coats Choice from the Bigstone mare Ashberg, Full Toss has two wins and a further three minor placings to his credit and around $95,000 in prizemoney for the Hampshire Stable.