SINGAPORE: Simply Too Dashing In The End

Monday, 9 July 2012: Handy galloper Just Dashing scored an impressive win in the $55,000 Class 4 race over 1800m on Friday night to bring up his haul of victories to four.

Trainer Cliff Brown said the only Kranji progeny of Gone West  sire Western Verse  had the Polytrack at his last outing to largely account for his lacklustre sixth, three weeks after he had scored in a similar race to Friday night's.

Well ridden in his customary off-the-speed pattern by now-regular partner Danny Beasley, Just Dashing  ($29) burst through the fanned-out field at the 300m to put to the sword his 11 rivals in expeditious fashion.

Long held up in a rearward position, Just Dashing made ground by the home turn to be within striking distance as race-leader Urban Dancer  (Stephen Baster) quickly compounded. Last-start winner Terra Firma  (Z Zuriman), who was taking on stronger company, looked a chance when he hit the front at the 200m, but had no reply to Just Dashing's electrifying turn of foot inside the last furlong.

Easing down on the pedal, Beasley allowed the Tarnpirr Stable-owned gelding to coast to the line for a soft 1 ½ length win over $19 favourite Devonshire  who had every conceivable chance, but could not quite quicken for jockey Alan Munro when it mattered. Vaya Condios  (Matthew Kellady) had the run of the race but ran one-paced in the run to the wire to finish third another 2 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 50.4secs.

“He's always been a good honest sort, but the Polytrack was against him at his last start,” said the Australian handler. “He's not as effective on Polytrack and he also loves a bit of give.

“Tonight, he was back in his element and he won a very nice race.”

Beasley said Brown's decision to put off his start in a race by two weeks paid dividends.

“He was meant to race in a 2200m race couple of weeks ago, but though it was a winnable race, he was not quite at the top of his game,” said Beasley.

“All credit to Cliff for withdrawing and giving him more time to come on. He's no world-beater but he is a good bread-and-butter sort.

"At the top of the straight, I thought Brian Dean's horse (Cartago) would drop off and I would go around him, but he stayed on and I had to switch back on the inside for a run.

“We will give him a try in Class 3 races and see how he goes.”

Just Dashing was at his fourth win from 22 starts and has now brought his earnings close to the $185,000 mark.