Trainer Stephen Gray knew he was nearing a milestone but not even the optimistic Kiwi could have envisaged four winners by Race 9 on Saturday to bring up his 800th winner in Singapore.
Gray – who turns 59 in November – became the youngest trainer to bring up 800 winners in Singapore and only the fourth to do so behind the late legendary trainer Laurie Laxon, South African Pat Shaw and Australian Steven Burridge.
Ridden by Manoel Nunes, Tributo ($14) started the golden run with a win in the $20,000 Open Maiden over 1200m in race 5, before Prioritize ($17) made it a race-to-race double in the $50,000 Class 4 race (1700m) under jockey Wong Chin Chuen.
Retallica ($17) brought up the treble in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1200m), before Infinite Wisdom ($82) made it 800 winners at Kranji for the big Kiwi conditioner in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race (1100m). They were both ridden by jockey Marc Lerner who picked up a double for the day.
Gray was not done with yet until the promising Silent Is Gold put the icing on the cake after he scored in the highlight race of the day – a $70,000 Class 3 race over 1200m – to make it five winners for the stable.
The Buddy Buddy Stable-owned four-year-old had been finding it tough to win of late but it was hard to argue with his honest form – often with excuses – leading into Saturday’s assignment.
But a well-thought-out plan and a confident ride by jockey Ronnie Stewart had the son of Star Turn settling as anticipated on the back of Ironchamp (Krisna Thangamani), with clean air a factor.
$9 race favourite General Command (Nunes) stalked him throughout but Silent Is Gold ($13) looked to be cruising after he took the lead heading into the straight.
Stewart kept his powder dry until the only real challenger – General Command -made his claim at the 300m but when the Australian hoop got busy, Silent Is Gold responded like the good horse that he was, finishing the best with a relatively comfortable half-a-length victory.
General Command lost no admirers keeping the winner honest to the wire with Moongate Star (Saifudin Ismail) doing his best work late to claim third another length away.
The winning time was 1min 8.9secs for the 1200m on the Long Course and Silent Is Gold’s fourth win took his prizemoney to a shade over $190,000.
For Gray – who also trained 411 winners in partnership with his father (Kevin Gray) in New Zealand before setting up stables in Singapore in 2000 – the 800th win milestone was a testament to his determination and his 801st was a taste of things to come.
“To be honest, I was looking at where I was heading this time last year,” said an emotional Gray.
“It has been incredibly tough the last few years – not just for me but all the trainers – so just to survive in this industry has been an achievement.
“800 winners in Singapore is a big thrill, not just for me but for my family (wife Bridget, son James and daughter Kate) too, who have made Singapore their home for the last 23 years or so and supported me from the start.”
A big part of that family support was from Bridget who, like her husband, did not see the milestone coming so soon.
“Bridget was thinking about coming to the races today in case we cracked 800 but I told her we are not going to train four winners,” he continued.
“I was right – we got five! But it was a real shame Bridget wasn’t here as she has been such a big part of this operation since day one.
“We set goals when we arrived in 2000, one of them was to train 1000 winners and for me to train until I’m 60 years old, so we are getting there.”
Another big part of Gray’s longevity and success came from the support of loyal owners, so to bring up his 800th winner in the St George Stable colours for owner Paul Hickman was extra special.
“I couldn’t think of a better owner (Hickman) to bring up the milestone. It made it all the more special,” said Gray.
“He’s not only a loyal owner but also a good friend of the family. He supported us through COVID-19 for which I’m so grateful.”
Of Silent Is Gold, Gray was confident going into the race, but relieved with the result.
“He (Silent Is Gold) did well today,” he said.
“I was quietly confident – the race looked very suitable and we know the horse is capable – but it was nice how it panned out.
“To be honest, I thought he might be my only winner for the day, so it was the biggest surprise for him to be my fifth (winner).
“Pleased for the owners and also Ronnie because his daughter (Dakota) has been unwell lately. Happy for the horse too as he deserved a win.
“He has upsides too. Horses like him makes it easier to come to work every morning.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
