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Champion trainer Laurie Laxon hit the 1,200-win mark with Ron in the opening race on Friday night.
There was no better provider of such a milestone than his good friend and loyal owner Mr Phua Chian Kin of Oscar Racing Stable.
It is well documented the inseparable pair have shared many momentous occasions together with Laxon’s first winner Streisand and record 1,000th winner Alan the most famous.
Even though Ron (Antonio da Silva) scored in a humble $35,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1600m, the buzz at the winner’s reception was just the same.
“I’ve been fortunate to have Oscar Racing and CK as an owner all these years. He’s a very good friend as well,” said the New Zealander.
“We’ve shared many great moments together and he’s again given me another significant milestone.
“The horse had an inside draw and enjoyed an economical run throughout. He came off the fence at the right time.
“Last time, they went too hard and he had to be used up from a wide barrier to get to the front. He goes well for da Silva.”
Compared to his last start when he drew off the track and had to be hunted up by apprentice jockey Chin Chee Seng to take the lead, Ron enjoyed a cosier run at the head of affairs this time. When da Silva let him loose before the home turn, the final upshot could not be clearer.
Ron kicked clear with a commanding break that looked unassailable at the 200m, and even though Wonderful Era (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and Tongariro (Benny Woodworth) whittled down the gap, the bird had flown and Laxon had his 1,200th winner under the belt.
Wonderful Era ran second another 1 ¾ lengths away with Tongariro third another one length away. The winning time was 1min 40.58secs for the 1600m on the Polytrack.
“I’m happy to have given Mr Laxon his 1,200th winner. I know this horse well and from the better barrier tonight, I expected him to run well,” said da Silva who rode the Align six-year-old three times before for one win (also from start to finish).
“He had a soft lead in front but he is a thinker and you have to keep niggling at him. Still, I was able to save him for that last run and he won a nice race.”
Ron was recording his fifth win from 40 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $130,000 for the Oscar Racing Stable.
