Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - 18th and 20th of March

3 minute read

Although it may have taken eight starts to break through for his maiden win the future still looks bright for the Leslie Khoo trained The Wind.

Having failed to set the track alight at his first four starts The Wind has since steadily progressed culminating with a dominant victory on Sunday evening.

Lining up in the fourth event the son of Gorky Park was in a battle for favouritism with the Stephen Gray trained Whose Else's with the former easily coming out on top.

Ridden by Benny Woodworth, The Wind jumped away well in the centre and easily found the front, cruising early (25.65 first 400m).

The Wind

Under a throttle rounding the home turn The Wind snuck away by two lengths before let rip passing the 300m.

Letting down strongly The Wind displayed a sharp turn of foot to draw well clear and in the end he won with a leg in the air.

Eased up over the concluding stages he simply coasted to the line to score by 5.8L with close to 4L back to third.

The Wind's closing sectional was close to five lengths inside standard and while he did have all the favours early, he still recorded comparatively the second quickest time of the afternoon.

His performance saw him return time figures ahead of the bare form and he now remains under strong notice for his next outing.

With a 5.8L winning margin up his sleeve, if able to use that to his full advantage The Wind should prove hard to beat again.

In some cases it can take horses time to find their feet and in this case the penny looks to have finally dropped with The Wind.

The Chris Waller trained Hawkspur took ten starts before breaking through for his maiden win, he then went on to clinch the Group 1 Queensland Derby.

Not suggesting The Wind will go on to be a Group 1 winner, however more reiterating the fact that a good horse can take time to reach their potential.

His latest win will no doubt give him good confidence and he is worth placing in your blackbook.

Blue Danube

Another galloper worth following out of Sunday's meeting is the Patrick Shaw trained Blue Danube.

Formerly trained by Michael Clements the son of Equal Stripes really impressed in his first start for his new stable when making light work of his rivals in the fifth event.

A previous Group 1 winner in Argentina (Old Name: Blues Traveler), Blue Danube joined Clements' care in April last year.

From nine starts he only managed to fill the placings once, which was a narrow victory over 2000m in Kranji Stakes A company — on that occasion he notably beat home the consistent Order Of The Sun.

Clearly capable a change of scenery/routine may have worked a treat with Blue Danube easily accounting for his rivals.

Ridden by Barend Vorster, Blue Danube always appeared in control when settling well in second position.

Tracking race leader Valbuena, Blue Danube struck the front shortly after entering the straight.

Under pressure passing the 300m, though in hindsight Vorster was simply kidding to them when yet to ask for Blue Danube's complete effort.

Staying on strongly to the line Blue Danube posted a 2.3L success with little separating placegetters Bourbon Goldman and Well Done.

Although not marked up to his best it was a good sign moving forward with Shaw indicating he intends on setting Blue Danube for the Group 1 Singapore Derby in July.

On career best form that target is within his reach and he has to be respected in upcoming events.