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The benefit of one previous ride went a long way in helping Benny Woodworth steer Nova Missile to a smashing all-the-way win in the highlight of Friday night’s eight-race programme.
The Malaysian jockey had his first test ride aboard the I Am Invincible four-year-old at his last start in a Kranji Stakes A event over 1100m one month ago. They found one better in Distinctive Darci, but Woodworth and trainer Alwin Tan could not help wonder what could have been if the gelding had not fluffed his lines at the start.
In better preparedness for such quirks as the starter climbed onto his rostrum seconds before dispatching the field in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes B race over 1000m, Woodworth got Nova Missile to jump on terms this time.
But having this time drawn the cheap seats, the plan was to take a sit with other speedy sorts such as Sebas (Glen Boss) and Oxbow Sun (Noh Senari) likely to go flat to the boards on his inside.
To Woodworth’s surprise, that scenario did not eventuate. Instead, Nova Missile ($11 favourite) found himself landing half-a-body in front, and with no-one keen to show the way, Woodworth decided not to stand on ceremony.
After being handed up the lead rather meekly as he crossed onto the rails, Nova Missile was able to get a breather midrace. The issue soon became a foregone conclusion when the anchors were thrown out as they put the 300m of the Polytrack course astern.
Mighty Conqueror (Troy See) stormed home late, but still had two lengths to make up as he took the runner-up berth with outsider Super Six (Barend Vorster) plugging on for third place another length away. The winning time was 59.46 seconds for the 1000m on the alternative track.
Last-start winner and second favourite Autumn Rush (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) did not have the same dash after being caught three deep to the turn. He did loom halfway up the straight, but that more taxing run punching the breeze took its toll on him inside the last 150m as he faded to sixth place.
One run for the “black book” was former Macau stayer Sandtop (Alan Munro) who rattled home for fifth just over a length behind the placegetters.
“Benny knows the horse better after his first ride on him last time,” said Tan.
“He is more of a Polytrack horse and they were never in doubt once they found the lead quite easily.”
Woodworth said the fact that the whole race was run upside down worked into their favour in the end.
“He stumbled out of the gates at my first ride on him, but he was good tonight,” said the in-form hoop.
“I expected a lot of pace but when the gates opened, we were in front and nobody really wanted to lead. I thought Glen Boss would roll forward, but I think Sebas has lost his dash.
“My horse was very fast and we got the lead quite easily instead. He travelled like a winner throughout and at the top of the straight when I pushed the button he kicked again.”
With that fourth win from 13 outings, Nova Missile has proven to be a handy moneyspinner for his owners, the Nova Racing Stable, having now taken home stakes earnings in excess of the $250,000 mark.