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Just when the momentum seemed to be swinging the other way, a timely double from Autumn Rush and Chalaza has propelled trainer Steven Burridge to his 700th Kranji win - and back to the top of the log on Sunday.
The Australian handler has sat atop the trainer’s premiership since January 21. Despite the saying it is easier to reach the top than stay there, he has done a good job keeping a gaggle of trainers like Michael Clements, Shane Baertschiger and 2017 champion Mark Walker at bay all this while, until Clements unseated him with a hat-trick of wins on Friday.
But Burridge has turned the tide right back up, responding with a two-timer from two of his better-performed horses this season, while achieving a personal milestone for good measure.
After Autumn Rush (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) edged the former jockey one win closer to the 700 landmark, the one that mattered came off two races later with Chalaza (Ryan Curatolo) in the $100,000 Class 2 race over 1400m.
The Road To Rock five-year-old is not without ability, as his record of four wins and four placings from 14 starts suggested, but the Mark Walker duo of Elite Invincible and Kingsman looked hard to beat, not to mention resuming quality gallopers Arhat and Mr Fatkid, though ideally, they were warming up for longer assignments down the road.
Under the circumstances, Chalaza’s odds of $42 looked reasonable, but deep down, Burridge knew he could turn milestone provider with a bit of luck.
Which Chalaza lacked in spades at his last outing, when he kept running into dead ends and never had a decent crack at the winner Tannhauser in a similar Class 2 event over 1200m.
Curatolo, by his own admission, later said it was not one of his better rides. Keen to give himself a good buffer of wins before he heads out for a two-day ban (careless riding), the French jockey redeemed himself with an inch-perfect ride that saw Chalaza find daylight at the right time before sustaining a searching run to the line.
Chalaza went on to post a half-length victory from the fast-closing Kingsman (Mohd Firdaus) with $13 favourite Elite Invincible (Glen Boss) third another short head away. The winning time was 1min 22.66secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Walker’s redoubtable duo had every chance, but were just outsprinted fair and square by a better horse on the day, 4kgs pull in weights between the winner and Elite Invincible notwithstanding. Kingsman had 51.5kgs on his back.
Burridge, the Singapore champion trainer in 2010, was all smiles as he celebrated his latest accolade with connections. He was also presented with a bottle of champagne by fellow Kranji trainer Leslie Khoo on behalf of the Association of Racehorse Trainers (Singapore).
“It’s sensational to reach this landmark. Thank you to all my owners for their support and also the stable staff for their amazing help at the stable,” said the Australian handler (16 wins) who was also claiming back the yellow jersey back after temporarily handing the lead to hat-trick hero Michael Clements (15 wins) on Friday night.
“I can’t do it on my own. Let’s hope it keeps going.
“This horse handles the wet track quite well, but more importantly, he has to be ridden quiet.
“We tried to wind him up early before and it does not work. He couldn’t finish it off.
“It’s good to get another winner for the boss, Mr Lim (Siah Mong of Lim’s & Mark’s Stable) who has been a great supporter of mine.”
Chalaza has now brought his record to five wins and four placings from 15 starts for prizemoney in excess of the $240,000 mark for connections.
Curatolo was certainly glad he had reunited successfully with Chalaza, as before the luckless run that many thought they were the certainty beaten, the pair had combined to win more or less in the same fashion on January 19.
“I have a good affinity with this horse as I know him very well, but I rode him badly at his last start,” he said.
“I could not get out, but today, when he saw daylight, he just opened up and won a nice race. He’s a horse you need to ride cold, he doesn’t like to be contacted with other horses.
“At the start, I was happy where I was, but I had to take hold of him a few times at the half-mile as he was climbing over heels in behind horse. I had to pop him off as I didn’t want to find myself too far back.
“He improved around horses very nicely, but once we were in the straight, I made sure I didn’t hit him too often. One just to get him to wake up, and I waited and waited before I gave him another smack.
“He’s got a short burst and you have to time his run well. It’s great I won today as I am suspended for the next two meetings.
“I wished I had won two, but Arr Flair just got beaten a nose (by Jacks Secret in Race 3). But three winners for the weekend is not too bad.”
Curatolo rode a double on Friday aboard Lord O’Reilly and Yabadabadoo, and sits in third place on 14 winners, two behind leader Vlad Duric.