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Champion trainer Alwin Tan sent out a clear signal one title might not be enough after he swept the training honours with a fantastic four-timer on Friday night.
With that massive haul, the Singaporean has shot straight back on top of the log with six winners, following his double on the opening day courtesy of Shadow Of War and Soon Yi.
There was a calm before the storm on Monday when none of his big team of 15 winners obliged, but he was back firing on all cylinders four days later, saddling a quartet of winners with Blue Diamond (Race 3), White Coffee (Race 5), Robin Hood (Race 7) and Absolute Miracle (Race 8).
Tan is aware there is still a very long way to go, but he could not be happier with the way his yard has fired its opening salvo.
“It’s been a great night for the team. I’m lucky I can turn my horses around fast and that’s why I can have big teams every week,” he said.
“We had a good break and I think that helped my horses, especially those who were a bit tired towards the end of last year like Robin Hood.
“Absolute Miracle came close a lot of times and I’m glad he’s finally been able to win a race tonight.
“It’s still very early days and there is a long road ahead, but I will enjoy this big night.”
Tan again put the results down to good planning, a touch of luck and a lot of hard work – of which a big chunk, he said, was chipped in by his trio of winning jockeys, Olivier Placais (Blue Diamond and Robin Hood), Danny Beasley (Absolute Miracle) and Oscar Chavez (White Coffee).
“Olivier, Danny and Oscar all give me a helping hand with the trackwork. They are a part of the system,” he said.
“I’m very happy Olivier won his 100th race (see earlier report) tonight. He is a hard-working jockey and helped me a lot last year.
“He rode the two winners very well. Blue Diamond was on his game tonight, and Robin Hood won very easily - I actually didn’t expect him to win that easily.
“His form dropped off a little last year. He returned as a roarer, but he seems to have come back fresh and back in form.
“He’s won on turf before, but he was facing quality challengers like Kirks Ryker and Valbuena. But when Oli launched him in the home straight, he just raced away.
“I was also very happy with Casing Royal’s third. He should be able to win some races, too.”
A five-year-old by Nom Du Jeu, Robin Hood ($25) had no part to play in the early stages, just biding his time at the back outside stablemate Casing Royal (Alan Munro) while Valbuena (Glen Boss) led at a steady tempo in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1600m.
Kirks Ryker (Barend Vorster) stated his intentions at the top of the straight when he was angled out for his run, but as he rolled off with Valbuena, a passage was unlocked on the inside, which Robin Hood promptly punched his way through.
In one fell swoop, the Eight Eight One Stable-owned galloper shot straight to the front to go and score a dominant 1 ¼-length win from Valbuena with Casing Royal third another 1 ¼-length away. The winning time was 1min 35.23secs for the 1600m on the Short Course.
Placais was pleased the horse who gave him two wins last year was back in his element, but more so for his much-improved steering.
“He won two nice races last year, but I felt he was much stronger tonight,” he said.
“I was hoping he would run well tonight as his work was very good and he trialled very well last Tuesday.
“I was a bit worried coming to the 400m as there was a wall of horses in front of me, but once he found a gap, he went for it.
“He used to hang in badly, but he didn’t do that tonight. I really liked the way he went straight like an arrow.
“And he quickened very well, he’s definitely got his full power back.
“Actually, I didn’t want to squeeze him too much. I gave him just one crack of the whip, just to get past the leader (Valbuena) and after that, I rode him hands and heels.
“I’d like to thank his owner Mr Chua for his support. He gave me my first winner last year, Chase and another five winners, which is about a third of my overall score (17).”
With that fourth win, Robin Hood has now collected earnings close to the $150,000 mark for Mr Chua.