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Saturday bounces back to Sunday's best

3 minute read

Disappointing at his last start, Saturday quickly made amends with a dominant maiden win in the $75,000 The Peak Stakes, a Restricted Maiden Division 2 race over 1400m on Sunday.

Saturday winning the THE PEAK STAKES RESTRICTED MAIDEN
Saturday winning the THE PEAK STAKES RESTRICTED MAIDEN Picture: Singapore Turf Club

After a promising debut third in RM company as well, but over 1200m, in September, the Hinchinbrook three-year-old didn't frank that form when fifth to Kimitonara at his next start in a similar race, but which was held at night.

Handicapped at 54kgs this time around (he was on 57kgs at his first two runs), Saturday could not have heavyweight two-time partner Vlad Duric back on board. Trainer Michael Clements unsurprisingly picked the lightweight jockey he has forged a budding alliance with in recent times, Louis-Philippe Beuzelin, and it proved to be another winning combination (their fifth together with Clements' last four winners ridden by the French jockey).

Beuzelin bounced Saturday straight out from his outermost alley (11), smartly using the best part of the 400m long back straight to come across towards the pointy end.

After allowing early leader Fort Mustang (Daniel Moor) to dictate terms for a little while longer, Saturday resolutely went wrestling the lead from him around the bend.

When Beuzelin pushed the button upon straightening, Kranji was made to behold an explosive burst of acceleration that left the rest of the field in disarray.

In the twinkling of an eye, Saturday , who was sporting blinkers for the first time, put a space of four lengths between him and the horses scattered across the track, all struggling to muster a response.

Jiuyi (Joseph See), the subject of a late plunge into odds-on favouritism, came with a fleeting run at the 300m, but soon called it a day, leaving Sabah Star (Joseph Azzopardi) as the lone challenger, but Saturday was already home and hosed 3 ½ lengths clear.

Jiuyi ran third another three parts of a length away. The winning time was 1min 22.34secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.

"The horse arrived very heavy in his body condition. He needed a couple of runs to trim up and get to his peak fitness," said winning trainer Michael Clements.

"His first run was good but he wasn't so great at his second run. He did not have much luck, it was his first time under the lights at night.

"He didn't have the easiest of way around, but he's bounced back today. I always thought he was all right and I think he has a bit of a future here."

Beuzelin, who is without any ride in the Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) later in the day, was glad he didn't come to the races to just watch the big race from the jockeys' room.

"Unfortunately, I'm not riding in the Gold Cup, but that more than made up for it," said Beuzelin who was bringing up his Kranji dozen in four months.

"I worked this horse in the mornings and he was well prepped for this race. He gave me a feeling he wasn't 100% there, he is still green and the blinkers helped him focus.

"He gave his best and you get the feeling there is more to come from him."

That first success has boosted Saturday's earnings to the $50,000 mark for Thai owners Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.


Singapore Turf Club

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