| Darc Bounty scored an all-the-way win in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes B race over 1000m on Friday night. Trained by New Zealand trainer Stephen Gray, the five-year-old son of Darci Brahma had not visited the winner’s circle since his last win in a Kranji Stakes C race on June 23 last year.
Australian jockey Glen Boss was determined to make use of his mount’s gate speed once he jumped out from the wide barrier. The fleet-footed gelding led his rivals through to the wire and raced away to a comfortable two-length win from Autumn Rush (Simon Kok Wei Hoong). Guilty Pleasures (Michael Rodd) was another neck away in third.
The winning time on the 1000m dash was a smart 58.46secs.
Bridget Gray, wife of winning trainer Stephen Gray was on hand to lead in the yard’s 32nd winner and spoke on behalf of her husband, who was on his way to Hong Kong as Singapore champion sprinter Lim’s Cruiser gets ready to take on 11 other world-class sprinters, including likely home favourite Hot King Prawn, in the HK$20 million Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) next Sunday at Sha Tin racecourse.
“He’s just arrived in Hong Kong. I put Lim’s Cruiser on the flight about 6 o’clock, and he flies out at about 9 o’clock,” said Gray.
“Stephen’s prepared him for the race, and with a little bit of rain on that day, he will improve by two lengths.
“He’s gone there in a fantastic condition and at the right timing.
“We are very proud and honoured to have a horse invited to Hong Kong and we’re going out there to enjoy it.”
She felt happy for Darc Bounty’s owners, Mr and Mrs Elaine Chen as well.
“He (Boss) got him out of the barriers quick, and they went straight to the front,” said Gray.
“The owners Mr and Mrs Chen are lovely people, and they will be at the races on Sunday as they have Wecando running (in the Class 4 Premier race over 1200m).”
At his sixth partnership and second win on the New Zealand gelding, Boss applauded his mount’s ever-trying attitude.
“He goes into a race and puts his best foot forward,” said the three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey.
“Sometimes, he runs into hot races because he is so consistent, and his rating never drops. He’s always in at the deep end.
“That was a good sustained run as I had to cross from that wide draw (barrier No 10).
“I really liked his effort because he gave me everything he had. He has nothing left in the tank after the race, really.
“I enjoyed the ride and it’s good for the owners.”
With his fifth win, Darc Bounty has amassed close to $300,000 for the Elaine Chen Stable.
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