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Just like Double Ransom who overcame a sluggish start to cruise home an impressive winner in the $65,000 Initiation National Orchid Garden Stakes (1600m), trainer Stephen Gray hopes he can make amends on his recent lean times and end the season with a flourish.

The New Zealander said that the 2011 season was by his own admission not one of his best, but philosophically takes it in his stride as part and parcel of running a horse racing stable.

“The war took five years to win. We can't win every battle,” he said as he led in winner No 27, which is about 10 off his mark at this juncture last year.

“Unlike the big stables, we don't have the numbers and we have to look after our soldiers, you know.

“The new ones are starting to come to hand and I think our last three months will be super.

“We were unlucky to have lost a few good ones too. Given Vision (two-Leg winner of the 2009 Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge) was coming back nicely but he met with problems with his legs again.”

Gray, who finished ninth on the 2010 Singapore trainer's premiership on 41 wins, said Double Ransom was no “superstar” and will probably make the grade up to Class 4 level.

“The Handsome Ransoms seem to do well in Singapore. He's also out of a Stravinsky mare and I paid some money to get him from Paul Richards in New Zealand,” said Gray.

“He goes okay but it was not really a strong race today. I think he can become a good Class 4 stayer - that's about his limit.

“I'm just happy he won today because when he missed the kick, I thought his chances were gone. It's good for the owners to pick up some good prizemoney too.”

Sporting Gray's familiar blue and yellow Copper Belt Racing colours, Double Ransom was indeed off to a tardy getaway, but under a patient ride from jockey Vlad Duric, he slowly made ground to move within striking distance by the home turn.

The four-year-old gelding quickly reeled in tearaway leader Bungae (Ronnie Stewart) to hit the front at the 300m before racing away to post a 2 ¾-length victory. Testa Rossa three-year-old Bungae showed vast signs of improvement from his two previous unplaced runs to hold on for second with Commanche (Benny Woodworth) plugging on for third another length away.

Well backed at $23, Double Ransom ran the 1600m on Polytrack in 1min 40.59secs. Hot favourite New Friends (John Powell) never threatened at any stage to run a disappointing sixth, more than eight lengths off the winner.

Duric said he had to think quickly on his feet when Double Ransom missed the start.

“A horse was playing up next to him and he didn't get himself composed to jump on terms,” said Duric, who is a clear second on the jockey's log on 70 winners, daylight behind Joao Moreira, and 10 winners clear of third-placed Barend Vorster.

“I wanted to go forward, and after he missed the kick, I had to think of Plan B and ride him quiet instead.

“When he got to the front, he was looking around a bit but he did a good job to put the race away in the end.”