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A beautiful smothered run on the rails paved the way to the
return to winning ways of former top juvenile Dark Matter on Sunday.
The Stratum colt somehow let down his connections when he
began his three-year-old campaign, scoring first-up but running below
expectations when second to Kaiser in a five-horse field at his last start.
Trainer Steven Burridge did not despair and decided he would
step up the Hippocrates Stable-owned galloper in distance at his next
start, and his decision was proven right when Dark Matter underlined his
vast potential to bounce back to his best in the $75,000 Class 3 race over
1400m.
Dark Matter (Joao
Moreira) proves too good in Race 11 on Sunday.
Hugging the rails from the outset, Dark Matter ($11) with Joao
Moreira in the irons, looked a moral when a saloon passage opened up for
him as the field fanned out upon straightening.
Dark Matter hit the lead at the 300m before pulling away for a
1 ¼ length win over stablemate Peaceful Warrior (Vlad Duric) who edged
Shaolin Soldier (Ronnie Stewart) for third by a head for a Burridge
trifecta.
“He was a little disappointing at his last couple of starts
but I think he was looking for more ground and today he stepped over the
right trip,” said Burridge.
“He came in nicely at the weights (53kg) and he’s done
everything right today.
“It is a pity they scrapped the three-year-old race today. As
there were no other options I put him in this race and it’s paid off.
“We’ll give him a bit of a break now and bring him back next
year for the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.”
Moreira said Dark Matter felt better than he has ever felt.
“I don’t know what Steven and his team has done to him, but he
was a lot more relaxed throughout the race today,” said Moreira who was at
yet another big haul – three winners to widen the gap at the top of the
Singapore jockey’s premiership even more – 57 winners on 132 winners.
“He travelled so keenly at his last start and that probably
cost him the race then.
“He was really looking for more ground. Once he saw daylight
in the home straight today, he just went through the gap and I knew he
could not lose.
“I didn’t need to pull the stick and he just kept giving to
score a very nice win. I only pulled it once or twice just to keep his mind
on the job.”
The grateful rider did not fail to thank the connections for
the trust they have placed in him by booking him on Dark Matter and some
other choice rides.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Tan (Kai Chah)
for giving me such good rides, especially this one,” said Moreira.
“It’s always a pleasure to ride Dr Tan’s horses.”
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