3 minute read
A copybook ride from Kranji ace Vlad Duric went a long way in getting Inherit home in the $50,000 Good Luck Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 1400m on Sunday.
Duric said it was "pretty basic" stuff but when you are a three-time Singapore champion jockey, it all seems easier than what meets the eye. While he was no doubt modestly playing down his invaluable contribution in Inherit 's second win at Kranji, it was still a piece of riding worth showing at Jockey 101.
Jumping smartly from the outermost alley, the $28 shot cut across sweetly into second spot without having spent much petrol, and while keeping race-leader Elise (Benny Woodworth) in his sights once they dropped anchor.
The next winning move came when he was peeled out for his charge to the line at the top of the straight. Once he was in the clear, Inherit worked home nicely to go and score by 1 ½ lengths from the fast-closing Made In Russia (Ruan Maia) with favourite Magnificent Gold (Michael Rodd) third another 1 ¾ lengths away.
The winning time was 1min 22.69secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
A former Chris Waller one-time winner in Newcastle (1200m), the Pierro four-year-old has now brought his local earnings to around the $60,000 mark for his owner, the A&M Stable.
"It was a pretty basic ride. We had to work forward from the outside and took a sit outside the leader," said the Australian jockey.
"He relaxed beautifully and once we backed off the heels of the leader, he was a winner from a long way out."
With reigning Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker attending the Karaka National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, his loyal deputy, assistant-trainer Gus Clutterbuck was on hand to lead in the yard's winner No 10.
"This horse is a nice type," said the Kiwi horseman.
"He's a horse who really likes to get on and Vlad rode him good today. Boss will be happy for sure."
Clutterbuck and his wife Karen have been two of the main cogs in the wheel of Walker's operation since their arrival from New Zealand in late 2010. Together, they have won three premierships at Kranji while they claimed five such titles back home.
