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Jockey Alan Munro finally ended his barren spell that was threatening to stretch to two months in emphatic fashion as he steered Origin Fast to an all-the-way victory in the $75,000 Novice race over 1100m on Sunday.
The Australian-bred filly took off like a rocket and despite some late pressure by runner-up Confiero (Oscar Chavez) managed to hang on to win by a half-length with Kiss Me (Danny Beasley) three-quarter length away in third. The winning time on the Polytrack was 1min 6.47secs.
When he steered Zac Spirit to victory in the Group 1 Lion City Cup on April 27, little did Munro know what was in store for him.
After all, he had just picked up his fifth Group 1 title since relocating here in 2012 and was second in the premiership table with 30 winners for the season, poised to make a run at then-leader Manoel Nunes who was just 14 winners ahead.
The well instead turned dry for the English rider who has endured a frustrating barren spell since that Sunday afternoon.
Not only has Nunes pulled away at the top of the standings – celebrating his 60th win on Friday – but Munro’s nearest rivals (the Australian trio of Danny Beasley, John Powell and Corey Brown) have all taken advantage of his slump to overtake him, relegating him to fifth on the jockey’s log.
“That’s racing for you, it’s a wheel of fortune of good times and bad times,” said Munro, who is not one to get caught up in the emotion of his sport and betrayed only the hint of a smile even as compatriot and trainer David Hall offered his congratulations. “I’m just glad my bad run is finished.”
In fact it had looked a formality when Origin Fast, a three-year-old by Exceed And Excel out of Westphalia, burst from the blocks and quickly got around the pack to take the lead inside the first furlong.
“She messed up her start the last time but I had no hold on her but today she jumped smartly and she was much better focused,” said Munro, who also saluted aboard the Hideyuki Takaoka-trained galloper two starts back.
With an uncontested lead and plenty of room to manoeuver, Origin Fast, who was well-supported by the public at $23, looked home and dry down the straight as none of the chasing pack appeared keen on applying any pressure, save for the former Selangor-based galloper Confiero though the three-year-old chestnut’s bid was ultimately thwarted as the post came to Origin Fast’s rescue.
“She’s still a young horse and can improve,” said Takaoka. “She has some nice pace and tends to do well against this level of competition. Maybe she can move up to Class 3 eventually.”
With her second victory alongside another five placings from nine career starts, Origin Fast has chalked up about $110,000 in stakes earnings for the Suzuka Racing Stable.
Good things come in pairs and for good measure, Munro went on to ride a double with another Takaoka, $191 longshot Mulan in the last race, the $60,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1400m.
