Trainer Kok off to a flyer in New Year

SINGAPORE:  Jan 1, 2018
 
SPEEDY DRAGON winning the New Year Cup - SNTC photo
 

SPEEDY DRAGON has always shown promise early in his career, winning four of his first seven starts from late 2014 to end 2015.

But in a career plagued by injuries, the American gelding wasn't able to demonstrate his true potential although he did pick two more wins from just five runs in 2016.

Last year, SPEEDY DRAGON faced the starter just four times. Two recent runs, however, must have helped the gelding got back to fitness as indicated by him winning the New Year Cup at Kranji here today.

Ridden by A'Isisuhairi Kassim, the six-year-old was as expected neglected in the betting in the Group 3 1200m event. Settling in midfield early, his rider made a forward move round the home bend when the pace slowed down.

The pair hit the front at the top of the straight and went on to win easily by 2 1/4 lengths and paid $180 for a win.

It was a great start to the new season for trainer David Kok who endured his worst season in 2017 with just 11 winners.

"It’s been a tough year, and let’s hope this Group win is a good sign of better things to come, especially as it’s on New Year’s Day," said Kok.

"This horse has had three knee chip surgeries and to see him win today is a big thrill."

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

1

 WELCOME 2018 STAKES
CLASS 4 - 1200M
7 ELISE D Meagher Woodworth

1
(5 b.nz.g Faltaat - Tongariro by Nadeem)
1 Perfect Commando ZL Mok WS Chan

2
13 Patroclus CT Kuah CK Ng

3
3 Rich Fortune HW Tan Zaki

4
 

2 

 GOOD HEALTH 2018 STAKES
RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
4 MY GOLD HW Tan Zaki

1
(3 ch.a.g Globetrotter - Inertia by Belong To Me)
7 Amanzoe M Walker D Moor

2
3 Lonhro Gold C Brown M Rodd

3
10 Kiss Your Song S Baertschiger Kellady

4
 

3

 HAPPINESS 2018 STAKES
CLASS 4 PREMIER, DIV 2 - 1200M
12 ONLY WIN M Clements O Placais

1
(4 b.am.g Tribal Rule - Stacie's Smile by Lemon Drop Kid)
4 Mr Clint DL Freedman D Moor

2
3 Magic Wand R Le Grange B Vorster

3
2 Ladrone S Baertschiger Kellady

4
 

4

 WONG CHIN CHUEN STAKES
OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
11 SATELLITE WINNER O'Hara C Grylls

1
(4 b/br.a.g Not A Single Doubt - County Mayo by Grand Slam)
10 Pure Spark S Burridge D Moor

2
7 D'Great Pride D Meagher CS Chin

3
6 Able Pins S Baertschiger Kellady

4
 

5

 CELEBRATIONS 2018 STAKES
CLASS 5 - 1400M
11 BIG REGARDS M Walker CK Ng

1
(4 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Molly Coco by Savabeel)
10 Aeolus CT Kuah N Juglall

2
7 Pop Gems D Koh Azhar

3
1 Land Below D Wind S Baertschiger J Powell

4
 

6

 VLADIMIR DURIC STAKES
CLASS 3, DIV 1 - 1200M
5 JUSTICE DAY M Clements O Placais

1
(7 b.ir.h Accalamation - Rock Exhibition by Rock Of Gibraltar)
8 Captain Jamie R Le Grange N Juglall

2
10 Sun Dream D Koh Woodworth

3
2 Magic City J Saimee S Noh

4
 

7

 LIM'S STABLE STAKES
CLASS 3 - 1600M
8 HIDDEN PROMISE M Walker C Grylls

1
(5 b.nz.g Postponed - Promissory by Zabeel)
11 Chocolats S Baertschiger Kellady

2
7 Tesoro Privado R Le Grange B Vorster

3
6 Heracles CT Kuah R Curatolo

4
 

8

 MARK WALKER STAKES
CLASS 4 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
6 YAYA PAPAYA Khoo R Curatolo

1
(3 b.nz.g Nadeem - Cassini by Reset)
2 Wonderful Era L Dragon J Powell

2
1 Amazing Man J Saimee S Noh

3
12 Carnelian H Takaoka Zaki

4
 

9

 NEW YEAR CUP
SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
9 SPEEDY DRAGON D Kok K A'Isisuhairi

1
(6 ch.am.g Safe In The U S A - Yen by Lure)
10 Fortune Winner L Dragon Saifudin

2
4 Nova Strike HW Tan T See

3
6 Mr Fantastic R Le Grange B Vorster

4
 

10

 PEACE & JOY 2018 STAKES
CLASS 4 PREMIER, DIV 1 - 1200M
4 SCORPIO M Clements R Zawari

1
(4 b.nz.g Pins - Miss Katella by The Commander)
1 Country Warrior S Baertschiger J Powell

2
12 Paperback Trooper S Burridge D Moor

3
8 Winterfell S Baertschiger Kellady

4
 

11

 PROSPERITY 2018 STAKES
CLASS 3, DIV 2 - 1200M
4 CONILAD S Burridge M Rodd

1
(6 b.a.g Nicconi - Uncanny Lady by Canny Lad)
9 Wonderful Knight D Meagher Woodworth

2
6 Aotearoa DL Freedman D Moor

3
11 Xiong Fong HW Tan A Munro

4