Legendary trainer Laurie Laxon may be leaving Singapore this year, but it has not stopped him from attracting new owners to his yard – and new winners at that!
Just last Friday, he welcomed another win for his Brazilian team of Magic City and VC Stable, and one week later, it was debutant Marvel Hero to provide beginner’s luck to his new owner Ong See Poh in the second race, the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1400m. Marvel Hero was ringing up Laxon’s 28th winner for the year.
Ridden by Matthew Kellady, the English-bred three-year-old by Royal Applause was never in doubt once he bounced to the front from his barrier No 5 to take up proceedings.
Marvel Hero (Matthew Kellady) holds off Country Boss (Manoel Nunes, obscured) to make every post a winning one at his debut, picture Singapore Turf Club
The field was bunched up behind Laxon’s newbie, with Thoth Warrior (Barend Vorster) the first to draw blood upon straightening up. But he could not quite get on with the job.
Then came even-money favourite Gold Reward (Alan Munro) but his challenge also lacked punch with Marvel Hero lengthening up further under Kellady’s urgings. The true danger came from Country Boss (Manoel Nunes) sneaking up on the rails, but Marvel Hero was home and hosed by half-a-length.
Gold Reward peaked on his run to finish third another 3 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 24.31secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
“It was a great effort for him to lead all the way. We weren’t sure how quick he would be as he’s never been on the grass before, but he showed good gate speed,” said Laxon.
“It’s always nice to see new owners lead in a winner. He’s a very nice horse and I’m sure they’ll have more fun with him.”
Assistant-trainer Shane Ellis added that Marvel Hero was not the finished article yet, but Kellady’s and the barrier attendants’ diligence played a big part in that first-up win.
“He’s still very green but Matty and the barrier boys have done a great job with him,” said Ellis.
“He showed some speed at his barrier trial and I reckon he’ll get more ground.”
Kellady echoed those sentiments as he dismounted from his 11th winner for the season, and quite interestingly his second in a row for Laxon after Mr Scorsese.
The Ipoh rider gets the bulk of his rides from Shane Baertschiger but has been getting a few leg-ups from the nine-time Singapore champion trainer since Mr Scorsese scored on May 12. Prior to that, his last win for the Kiwi mentor was Steel Cut back in January 2008.
“Laurie and Shane have been giving me a few rides lately, and I thank them for putting me on this one from day one,” said Kellady.
“He won on raw ability tonight. When he hit the front, he was like ‘do I go or not?’.
“He’s definitely a nice horse and on the way he runs, he will be better over longer.”
