3 minute read
The real Prosperous Return has finally stood up in the $70,000 Kranji Stakes C (1600m) on Sunday.
Though defeated – and beaten by stablemates Tiger Roar and Starlight respectively in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) – the son of Fighting Sun was not disgraced, even though there was that nagging feeling he could have done more.
Unfortunately, there was no Singapore Guineas for him to show his true worth over the next natural step-up to 1600m, but he was able to exact revenge on his two victors on Sunday, albeit the conditions of the race other than the trip are totally different from a weight-for-age race.
Trainer Michael Clements had all along risen above that consolation Singapore Guineas parallel, preferring to look away from the rear view mirror and focus on the next goal ahead, the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on September 18.
While Prosperous Return has vindicated the Zimbabwean-born trainer's faith in the Tivic Stable-owned galloper when risen to the mile for the first time, he was a touch nonplussed with Tiger Roar's (the better fancied of the trio going into Sunday's race where they were head and shoulders above the rest in the market) moderate fifth place while he had all but ruled Starlight out of the Raffles Cup, following his eighth place almost 13 lengths off the winner.
"Today, Prosperous Return settled better. I always knew he'd get the trip when we'd push him to the mile," said Clements.
"He was certainly very good today and is a promising horse going forward. On that win, he's likely to get enough points to get into the Raffles Cup.
"I think Tiger Roar is getting too relaxed. Yes, it's his style of racing, but it might be time to look at giving him a headgear like winkers at his next start.
"He still quickened at the end, but he relaxed too much, and found it hard to make ground as he usually does.
"As for Starlight, it's back to the drawing board as he was too keen early on with the blinkers on. I think in hindsight, we went to the mile too soon for him.
"I'll probably have to back him down as he matures further. He's a work in motion, and as he gets older he will settle down better.
"He won't be running in the Raffles Cup, but we'll give him more time as he's definitely got the ability."
Ridden by Vlad Duric, his partner at his three-year-old campaign, Prosperous Return enjoyed a smooth run behind the speed after jumping from barrier one.
With Sun Power (Oscar Chavez) going hell-for-leather to wrest the lead from Federation (Jerlyn Seow Poh Hui) and Rambo (Danny Beasley) early, Prosperous regressed into sixth spot after tucking into the box-seat early, but when Duric rousted him off the rails at the 500m to go after the leaders, it was soon evident the swagger of old was back.
In one fell swoop, Prosperous Return circled the field to hit the front. Rambo did try to muster a counterattack but had to settle for the runner-up place one and a half lengths away.
Wind Trail (Marc Lerner) and Metal World (Wong Chin Chuen) came from further afield vying for the last podium spot with the former getting the bob by a neck another three-quarter length away.
Duric, who was returning from a two-day suspension for careless riding, was registering his first win since Sun Rectitude on August 1 to reach winner No 28, five behind Danny Beasley, who enjoyed a double through Lim's Lightning and Real Efecto, but a whopping 15 winners behind leading apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin, who is well on his way to take over Simon Kok Wei Hoong's crown and even claim the overall senior title.
Sent out at a quote of $22, Prosperous Return ran the mile on the Short Course in the moderate time of 1min 36.48secs.
In seven starts, Prosperous Return has now recorded four wins and one second for stakes money that has exceeded the $120,000 mark for the Tivic Stable.
