Fairway's Turf Online

Curatolo in Command on first ride back

SINGAPORE: Jan 20, 2024

COMMANDER JONES holding off SMOKE AND MIRRORS — SNTC photo

Back in Singapore for the first time since he last rode here six years ago, Ryan Curatolo was off the mark in his very first ride astride COMMANDER JONES in the opening event at Kranji here today.

The Frenchman, who has been granted a licence for the year, had the New Zealand gelding settled just off the pace in sixth position.

Curatolo had to wait for an opening in the early part of the home stretch before sending his mount after the leaders.

SIMON had taken over the lead from the early pacemaker DELILAH at the 200m. COMMANDER JONES soon broke from the cashing pack to go after the new leader.

COMMANDER JONES hit the front 100m out and soon after SMOKE AND MIRRORS came charging home but Curatolo kept his mount going to win by half a length.

"It’s nice to be back, and a winner at my first ride too." said Curatolo who has ridden in Qatar, Dubai and the USA since he was last here.

"This horse (COMMANDER JONES) never used to settle," said trainer Tan Kah Soon.

"Today, everything worked out good. He dropped his head and was settled.

"I was worried when he hit the front too soon because he likes to look around, but that’s because of his immaturity. He can stay a mile no problem."

It was the gelding's maiden win in eight starts.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M
13	COMMANDER JONES	KS Tan	R Curatolo	1
	(3 gr.nz.g Charm Spirit - Zuma by Mastercraftsman)
7	Smoke And Mirrors	J Ong	B Queiroz	2
2	China Pearl	D Logan	S Jamil	3
1	Simon	S Gray	M Lerner	4

2	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1400M
5	PACIFIC SNOOPY	D Kok	V Duric	1
	(4 b/br.a.m Hellbent - Rawoof by Lonhro)
8	Ocean Jupiter	KS Tan	R Woodworth	2
3	A Better Tomorrow	J Peters	S Jamil	3
12	Silver Warrior	J Ong	B Queiroz	4

3	CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
10	QARAAT	T Mahadi	B Queiroz	1
	(10 b.a.g Mossman - Lillabiddy by Nediym)
1	Nature Chief	J Ong	TH Koh	2
3	Hugo	S Gray	M Lerner	3
7	Pacific Dream	D Kok	I Amirul	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1600M
2	BLACK STORM	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	1
	(4 b/br.a.g Caravaggio - Lady Bligh by Redoute's Choice)
5	Elite Jubilation	R Le Grange	B Queiroz	2
3	Lim's Bestbreaker	D Meagher	M Lerner	3
11	Pacific Star	J Ong	TH Koh	4

5	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M
3	CROWN DANCING	R Lim	M Nunes	1
	(7 b.a.g Love Conquers All - Grager by Kalanisi)
6	Tigarous	R Lim	V Espindola	2
11	Cizen Lucky	J Tan	M Zaki	3
4	Schneider	HW Tan	B Queiroz	4

6	CLASS 2 - 1600M
5	BIG HEARTED	J Peters	V Espindola	1
	(7 b.a.g Hallowed Crown - Secret Selection by Redoute's Choice)
1	Mr Black Back	R Lim	M Nunes	2
3	Fame Star	S Crutchley	PH Seow	3
2	Relentless	T Fitzsimmons	V Duric	4

7	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
10	V'INVINCIBLE	R Lim	PH Seow	1
	(5 b.a.g I Am Invincible - Movie by Red Ransom)
7	Pacific Commander	J Ong	TH Koh	2
3	Legend Of The Sun	D Koh	B Queiroz	3
6	Cash Cove	HW Tan	K A'Isisuhairi	4

8	CLASS 5 - 1600M
3	LEGACY FORTUNE	T Fitzsimmons	B Queiroz	1
	(5 ch.ir.g Dragon Pulse - Gold Zain by Aqlaam)
6	Star Express	J Peters	R Woodworth	2
8	Khao Manee	J Tan	R Azhar	3
4	On Line	S Gray	V Duric	4

9	CLASS 4 - 1400M
3	AXEL	D Logan	S Jamil	1
	(8 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Josephines Fortune by Encosta De Lago)
4	Creative Dreams	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	2
8	Engine Start	J Ong	TH Koh	3
9	Montana Flash	D Logan	V Espindola	4

10	CLASS 1 - 1200M
7	SILENT IS GOLD	S Gray	S Jamil	1
	(5 b.a.g Star Turn - Confident by Not A Single Doubt)
1	Golden Monkey	T Fitzsimmons	V Duric	2
4	Invincible Tycoon	S Burridge	R Curatolo	3
6	Street Of Dreams	S Burridge	M Nunes	4

11	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
3	HURRICANE	T Fitzsimmons	M Nunes	1
	(5 b.nz.g Shamexpress - Severa by Montjeu)
1	Groovy	R Lim	I Amirul	2
4	Our Pinnacle	S Gray	V Duric	2
8	Webster	D Meagher	PH Seow	4
	*Deadheat for 2nd