3 minute read

After three seconds in as many rides, jockey Michael Rodd finally went one better on Wolf Warrior on Sunday.

Sent out as the $8 favourite, trainer Alwin Tan's consistent galloper had to, however, slog hard for the win in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1700m.

Inside the last 200 metres, Caribbean Lady (Wong Chin Chuen) could be the Wolf Warrior -Rodd pairing's new nemesis as she battled her way back into the race after being headed, but the day belonged to the Wolf for a change.

The US-bred four-year-old by Midnight Lute held his ground to defeat Hideyuki Takaoka's game mare by a head on the line. Only Win (Saifudin Ismail) wound up in third another one and three-quarter length away.

The winning time was 1min 45.9secs for the 1700m on the Polytrack.

"We drew a nice barrier (one) today and took full advantage of that, and the shades were on," said Rodd.

"We should have been three back the fence but with the blinkers on, he charged up to be nearer to the lead. The headgear made a difference.

"But I think he needs a little rest now. He's been racing a lot and a freshen-up would be just nice ahead of the feature race they have picked for him at the end of the year (December 8), the Colonial Chief.

"He will get better with more ground and I think he's good enough to roll up in a feature race one day."

The Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes is the last Group race of the Singapore racing season. It is a Polytrack event which will be this year shortened from 1700m to 1600m.

Tan, who won last year's renewal of the Colonial Chief Stakes with Nova Strike, was not available for comments after Wolf Warrior's win – his fourth in 14 starts that also yielded four seconds and close to $170,000 in stakes earnings for the Chin Heng Stable.