Dark Matter claims fourth Singapore win in Dubai

Michael Lee
Friday, January 27, 2012

Singapore sprinter Dark Matter scored his second win from as many starts in Dubai when he earned the verdict by a short head in a photo finish on Thursday night.

Ridden by Irish jockey Ted Durcan, who was aboard the Steven Burridge-trained gelding at his first Dubai success on January 12, Dark Matter was locked in a thrilling battle with the UAE-trained Albaasil (Richard Hills) in the US$175,000 Dubai Duty Free Handicap (1400m) inside the last 200m of the Meydan home straight.

In a classic head-bobber, Dark Matter on the outside put his head down right on the line to touch out Albaasil in the winning time of 1min 25.51secs.

Dark Matter (Ted Durcan) on the left nuts out Albaasil (Richard Hills, striped
cap) with Time Prisoner (Frankie Dettori) third (photo courtesy of Dubai Racing
Club and Andrew Watkins).

Dark Matter, a three-year-old by Stratum, went to Dubai a four-time winner at home over distances between 1100m and 1200m, and has now scored both Dubai wins over 1400m, first on the All-Weather track and on the turf the second time round.

“It’s a sensational result for us and for Singapore,” said Burridge. “He (Dark Matter) was third on the fence but the pace was too slow.

“The other horse came from the back of the field and actually hit the front, but my bloke just put his big head on the line. Ted rode him very well again.

“A big thank you should go to Mick (Lockett) and the boys there. They’ve done a fantastic job with the horses.”

Raced by Dr Tan Kai Chah’s Hippocrates Stable, Dark Matter has now provided Burridge the proud record of four wins from five starters at his very first foray in Meydan. Besides Dark Matter’s two wins, Burridge also saw Captain Obvious and Ip Man salute.

The fairytale run is however soured by the loss of Burridge’s fourth horse Apache Crown who unfortunately broke down a week after he ran a meritorious fourth in a 1200m race on the straight course.

“Unfortunately, Apache Crown broke down last Friday,” he said grimly. “I was there and watching him work and Mick told me later to come over as he had pulled his shoe.

“There’s nothing wrong with the track. He must have overreached and he hurt his nearside leg.

“The X-rays showed a fracture but I hope it’s mendable. In any case, his campaign in Dubai is over and let’s just hope he can race again back home.”

Burridge is flying back to Dubai next week to watch Captain Obvious (Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200m) and Ip Man race on February 3 (Friday). Joining Burridge on the trip will be jockey Oscar Chavez who was successful with both horses last Saturday and will again take both rides.