The night’s other trophy race, the Class 4 Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m), went to the Francis Lui-trained Fine With Me, a 28/1 chance.

The four-year-old Starcraft gelding had raced 10 times across three seasons without success, but apprentice Alvin Ng’s mount made the most of a featherweight 109lb, a return to 1200m, and a first visit to the Valley.

“He didn’t jump too well,” Ng said. “I was a bit worried because I was back in the field following a slow horse in front of me but, luckily, on the turn I was able to get out, find clear running, and he ran in a straight line to catch them.”

Fine With Me clocked 1m 10.54s as he swept past runner-up Game Of Fun (133lb) to score by three quarters of a length, with Silver Spun (132lb) a nose away in third.

“He showed there that he has the pace for 1200 (metres) but I think up to 1600 is ok,” Ng added. “When he ran at 1600 last time he was in a handy position and he still finished his race.”

Douglas Whyte notched a double thanks to the Chris So-trained Prince Harmony in the Class 4 Bukit Timah Handicap (1200m) and the Manfred Man-trained Healthy Luck in section one of the Class 3 Merlion Handicap (1200m).

Apprentice Dylan Mo is enjoying a good spell of form and registered his fifth win from the last five race meetings with victory in the opener, the Class 5 Changi Handicap (1000m) atop the Me Tsui-trained Oriental Fantasia.

The John Size-trained four-year-old Perpetual Joyance made it three wins from his last four starts, each under Karis Teetan, when taking out section two of the Class 3 Merlion Handicap (1200m), while Caspar Fownes and Vincent Ho teamed up to win the Class 4 Kranji Handicap (1650m) with Formula Galore.