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Quieter riding tactics bore instant dividends for consistent three-year-old Golden Years in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on Sunday.
Held up close to the pace at four of his past five runs at Kranji, the son of Jimmy Choux still performed very well, never finishing out of the money.
But trainer Michael Clements and jockey Vlad Duric decided they would take a leaf from the only time he took a sit at the rear, not that it was really by design. From a wide draw in a similar Restricted Maiden 1200m event in November, jockey Olivier Placais had no other choice but to snag him back at the tail of the field before they came motoring home for second place.
From another awkward alley (nine) drawn in Sunday’s race, Golden Years ($21) was switched off into a midfield spot and saved for that last charge to the post.
It was clear the new battle plan would come off at the top of the straight. As newcomer and race-leader Mr Alfonso (Juan Paul van der Merwe) came back to the field at the 300m, the race was all done and dusted when Golden Years was revved-up by Duric.
Attacking the line down the middle, Golden Years accelerated beautifully to go and gap his rivals by just under four lengths. Another debutant (there were nine in the 12-horse field) St Alwyn (John Powell) reproduced the promise shown at his barrier trials with a worthy second place first-up with Lim’s Craft (Troy See) a fast-closing third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 9.65secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
“It was a great run from the horse and it’s paid off. He came up with another good effort two runs back when he got back in the field and finished strongly,” said Clements.
“He was gelded shortly after and has come back stronger. I think he can go up to Class 4; he clocked a bit of time today.
“We’ve been half-thinking about the Three-Year-Old Sprint in a couple of weeks. From the way he ran today, it’s possible, but we’ll have to see if he has enough ratings to get in.”
The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge kicks off with the Group 3 JBBA Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on April 5, then proceeds to the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on May 3, before wrapping up with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 25.
Duric said Golden Years was able to showcase his true potential thanks to the change in tactics.
“He’s a different horse when he is ridden quiet,” said the two-time Singapore champion jockey who, after a relatively subdued start, is starting to draw clear in the current premiership on 25 winners, eight clear of Noh Senari.
“I had him one off the fence and once I pulled him out, he was very dominant. I think he can get over more ground, too.
“I’m not sure about the 3YO series as I think Mike has better three-year-olds, but I can be a bad judge at times!”
Even though Golden Years was shedding his maiden status, his previous smart record of five placings from as many starts explains why his stakes earnings have already hit the $100,000 mark for the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.
