3 minute read
Honest galloper Eatons Gold powered home late to just pip favourite Ladrone on the line on Friday night.
After his unplaced run in a Benchmark 67 race over 1200m six weeks ago, the Jet Spur seven-year-old was given a bit of a freshen-up and brought back in easier company in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1000m.
With the topweight of 57kg on his back, trainer Mark Walker opted for his four-kilo claimer Ng Choon Kiat for the steering job, a decision that was to be richly rewarded with a nose-win over Ladrone (John Powell).
The latter indeed looked home and hosed after he swept past Nova Eagle (Mohd Zaki) upon straightening, but despite Powell’s urgings to get the Nicconi gelding over the line, he could not contain the superior finish of Eatons Gold ($29) inside the last furlong.
It still looked like the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable-owned galloper might have launched too late, but Ng did not give up as Eatons Gold lunged late to stick his nose in front where it mattered.
Nova Eagle kept on well for third another one length away. The winning time was 1min 1.71secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
Walker heaped praise on Eatons Gold, whom he said had been a prolific horse for the yard and the owner. The Kiwi horseman also paid compliments to Ng’s determination when it all looked like a lost cause close home.
“All credit to John Galvin (Fortuna NZ Racing Stable principal) who knows the great value of a four-kilo claim,” said the 2015 Singapore champion trainer.
“He had no hesitation in using CK and it’s paid off. The kid listened to instructions and rode the horse very well, and never gave up.
“Eatons Gold has been a honest little horse to us. He didn’t cost much at the Karaka Sales and has proven to be a good moneyspinner for John. That’s what racing is all about.
“I must also thank the Singapore Turf Club starter John Pepe for his job with this horse. He’s had a few gates issues like he would rear up and stuff, but John’s a genius and he’s corrected that.”
Ng said he just went in with Walker’s instructions etched in his mind and was bullish enough about a winning outcome 50m from home.
“The track was very wet but he seemed to enjoy it. I think not having any horse in front of him helped as he was not getting any kickback,” said the Singaporean rookie.
“In the home straight, he responded very well when I gave him a few cracks. I thought the favourite was out of reach but at the 50m I knew he was finishing stronger and we got a bit lucky in the last bit.
“Thanks to the boss and the owner for giving me the ride. It sure boosts my confidence.”
Eatons Gold has now taken his handy record to six wins and 14 placings from 48 outings for stakes earnings that have edged past the $370,000 mark for connections.
After a slow start to his title-defending season, Walker is now back in full swing, going on to add one more win in the last race, albeit shared with trainer Alwin Tan, the current leader on the Singapore trainer’s premiership. Walker has leapt from fourth to second spot on 14 winners, just two shy of Tan who was his runner-up last year.
Favourite Infantry (Danny Beasley) was being hailed the winner for Tan when he hit the front at the 200m mark in the $60,000 Class 4 race (1400m) but Walker’s Rockfast (Oscar Chavez) came with a wet sail on the outside, reeling him with every stride to cross the line in unison.
Unable to split the pair, the judges called a dead-heat to a most rousing finale to a night that saw many close contests despite being marred by the rain. With the dead-heat, Infantry’s and Rockfast’s odds of $12 and $30 were halved to $6 and $15 for the win dividends.