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The Singapore Gold Cup winning combination of trainer Hideyuki Takaoka and jockey Alan Munro were victorious with Mulan in the $55,000 Class 4 Div 2 Stakes over 1200m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Returning a $54 dividend, Mulan scored a strong one length victory over Rising Expectation (Oscar Chavez) with Smitten Kitten (Mohd Suhaimi) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Munro does a lot of the riding for Takaoka but the pair has combined only once – with Musketeer on November 25 – since Better Life’s Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup victory on November 11.
Mulan was having her first start since finishing 12th behind Rough Dance in a 1400m Class 4 on November 18.
Takaoka could not explain the disappointing display last time out but gave the New Zealand-bred five-year-old a well deserved freshen-up.
Munro had the mare settled behind the speed that was set by Rising Expection and Gold Halo (Cheng Han Kok) to the hometurn before easing three wide into clear running in the straight.
With her best form over slightly more ground, Mulan knuckled down to her task bravely to run down Rising Expectation in the run to the line.
“I’ve got no idea what happened last time,” said Takaoka. “We gave her a freshen up and that worked for her today.
“I was a little worried that the distance might have been too short for her but the pace was on from the start.
“She was up handy and we knew that she would be strong at the finish of her race.
“Ideally her best distances are over 1400m or 1600m on the turf but she has run well fresh on the Polytrack before.
"It’s good to get another win from her.”
Munro concurred with Takaoka saying that 1400m on the turf is far more suitable for the mare but added that she had performed well over 1200m previously when fresh on the Polytrack.
“She was a bit unlucky two starts back when she got struck on the head with whip and finished second,” said Munro.
“On that she was probably well handicapped for today’s race and there was a nice pace that suited her.
“The way the race was run soon after coming into the straight I knew she would win.
“It was a nice win today and hopefully she may go on with it.”
By former Cox Plate winner Savabeel from the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Glitter Woman, Mulan has won four of her 25 starts and with a further seven minor placings has now taken her prizemoney past the $200,000 mark for the K Stable.
