Trainer Steven Burridge is not about to forget the race meeting on August 30 as that was the day the affable Australian brought home his first four-timer in five years of operation at Kranji.

The day did however begin on a sour note when Heart Stopper looked a winner before he was nabbed close home by Undaunted, but the disappointment was about to be quickly erased.

Alacarte got the ball rolling when successful in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m before Russian Safari took out the $75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1600m.

Golden Lido brought up the third leg treble when successful in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1800m before Lim's Connection wrapped up the memorable day in the penultimate race of the 12-race programme.

Golden Lido's victory was also a treble for Saimee Jumaat who had previously won with Alacarte and Hopkins in the $55,000 Class 4 Div. 3 over 1400m.
 

Burridge, a former Melbourne jockey, worked as assistant trainer for many years in Kuala Lumpur before relocating in Singapore in 2005, striking a decent run of success ever since.

"This is my best day ever. I've scored a few four-timers as a jockey but this is my first as a trainer," said Burridge.

"It's a wonderful reward for not just me but everybody at the stable. I have a special thought for my wife Julie, who has been away for a while, and just returned from the Mongolian Derby in which she finished fourth.

"It's been a really wonderful weekend for both of us.

"Looking at today's card I knew I'd have a good day today, but I got worried when it started to rain as it does change all the data.

"But as it turned out, it helped four of them win. Can't complain, can I?"

Burridge would not pinpoint which of his four victors gave him the biggest kick, but he was particularly full of praise for his middle pin winner Russian Safari who returned from a bowed tendon to record a strong victory.

Well ridden by Vlad Duric Russian Safari bounces back to the winner's circle in
Race 5.

Ridden by Vlad Duric, Russian Safari finished too powerfully for his rivals to record a half-length victory over Renixus (Robbie Fradd) with Flighting Spirit (John Powell) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.

Russian Safari was at his fourth run back from injury on Sunday after being missing from the racetrack from the middle of October until resuming in July and Burridge has gradually stepped the gelding up in distance.

 

“He bowed a tendon at the end of his last preparation and required a good break,” said Burridge. “He’d won a couple and then went amiss, so to come back the way he has, he’s done a very good job.”

 

Russian Safari was successful twice over 1600m in May last year before taking on Group company and finishing down the track behind Top Spin in the Singapore Derby Trial. 

Golden Lido (Saimee Jumaat) brings up the third leg of Burridge's four-timer.

Burridge then freshened the gelding but Russian Safari went amiss before he could get him back up to his pet distance – 1600m – at which he has been successful three times in four outings.

 

“He was a bit immature last time in,” said Burridge. “He wouldn’t eat but he’s much better this time around.

 

“He’s got a lot of ability. You just wonder when they have had a tendon before whether they could go again.

 

“I’ve got nothing in mind with him, so I’ll just see how he pulls-up after this win and have a look at the program to see what is available for him.”

 

Russian Safari, a six-year-old New Zealand bred by St Petersburg from the Volksraad mare On Safari, recorded his third win in 11 starts and took his prizemoney to around the $140,000 mark for Vivo Stable with his success.

The third leg of his treble, Golden Lido scored a half-length win over Lycraa (Jacky Low) with Dorado Joy (Eric Legrix) a neck away third.

A son of Secret Savings from the Nediym mare Kate Louise, Golden Lido recorded his second victory in 16 starts for owner Darwin Liman and took the gelding's earnings to around $90,000.


Lim's Connection (Ric McMahon) bolts in.

Burridge was also stoked with $29 shot Lim's Connection's (Ric McMahon) success given the Catbird six-year-old had not won since February 2008. The flashy chestnut with the white blaze was actually first past the winning post in last year's The New Paper Trophy, but was disqualified after returning a positive swab.

"I'm glad he's finally won. He's always running into all sorts of trouble," said Burridge.

"I thought I had the 1-2 at the top of the straight as Promise Me Gold was finishing very well right behind him, but he missed out by a neck."