3 minute read
The Alwin Tan-trained Dragon Infinity scored a narrow win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1000m) on Friday, but not without having to survive an objection from his stablemate Fantastic Man.
Ridden by Nooresh Juglall, Dragon Infinity, who was Tan's second-stringer, at long odds of $161, looked like he would be beaten by his better-fancied stablemate Fantastic Man (Corey Brown), the $8 favourite, at the 200m mark, but he held on with a nose separating the pair at the wire.
Mr Blossom (Michael Rodd) ran third a length and a quarter behind the two. The winning time was 59.78secs on the Polytrack.
However, the result could not be made official yet when Brown fired in a protest on the grounds of interference from the winner close home. On the head-on camera, the two Tan runners did make contact and Brown's horse did shift out, but Stewards in the end dismissed the objection.
Juglall felt that he did not deserve to be taken the race away given that Fantastic Man was also shifting ground when the alleged bump occurred.
“Both horses were hanging in and out. When Corey’s horse came in, I changed my stick and Corey’s horse shifted out again,” said Juglall.
"I feel that it was not my horse's fault as his horse overshifted."
One person who was assured of the win regardless of which way the Stewards went in the inquiry room was Tan, but he did express surprise at the order they finished, especially as Dragon Infinity had not shown much form prior to Friday and did not have the easiest of run when caught four wide with no cover throughout the race.
“Both jockeys did their best but this is racing and it’s quite unpredictable at times though I personally was more confident in Fantastic Man,” said the Singaporean handler. “I think he (Fantastic Man) jumped a bit slow today which probably cost him the race.
”I think the removal of the blinkers and pacifiers helped. His greater experience was the other reason.
"I think I've had a lot of outsider luck recently. If I'm not wrong, this is the third in a row.”
Indeed, Tan's previous two winners were longshots, White Coffee ($166) on June 5 and Dragon G ($55) on June 7.
Dragon Infinity's win may have been earned in the Stewards' Room but it still brought a big smile to Juglall as it was his first ride from a suspension. He later bagged a double on Catch Me Great in the last race.
“I would like to thank the owner and trainer for believing in me, it was nice coming back from a suspension a winner,” said Juglall.
“I was back 12 days ago to ride trials and trackwork and I am glad my hard work has paid off.
“I hope things go from strength to strength from here and I feel that I am at my peak as my fitness couldn’t be better.”
The Mauritian rider can also give himself a pat on the shoulder for the way he prepped up his winning mount way before the race began.
Juglall was seen giving the Madam Koh Siok Choo-owned son of Thewayyouare a few whacks on the rump when they were on the way to the barriers.
“I was just warming the horse up as I felt that he’s not a true 1000m horse and he’s still a big baby,” said Juglall. “I gave him a good canter down the straight and a few whacks to keep his mind on the task ahead.
“You could see him running around and getting even more excited when he saw the other horses. Luckily I did that as it put his mind forward and he fought all the way to the finish line.”