Only Win belied his name when he made it back-to-back on his account opener scored on New Year’s Day with a slashing win on Friday night.

Trainer Michael Clements and the Hwa Yi Stable would certainly expect to have more fun with the US-bred four-year-old by Tribal Rule, especially after assistant-trainer Michael White said he still had plenty of scope.

“He is a progressive horse, he is showing natural improvement. We had to show some patience with him, and it’s paid dividends tonight,” said White who was standing in for Clements, who is currently in New Zealand buying horses. 

Only Win (Olivier Placais) scores back-to-back wins in Race 8, picture Singapore Turf Club

“We actually thought he couldn’t win first-up, but he was always looking for 1400m.

“The time away has worked out good for him as he’s a horse who needs to have his runs spaced out.

“Mike is in New Zealand attending the Karaka Sale. We will have to discuss but he could be a Four-Year-Old series runner although he may have some handy stablemates (Countofmontecristo, Chopin’s Fantaisie and Tannhauser).”

Tucked away in midfield on the rails, Only Win ($34), who was Clements’ only runner of the night, was always travelling comfortably for Olivier Placais. Race-leader and $144 smokie River Golden (Benny Woodworth) gave plenty of cheek when he kept finding in the home straight, but once Only Win found a gap, he shot through like a hot knife through butter.

Only Win opened up to score going away by 2 ¼ lengths from River Golden with Little Big Man (Craig Grylls) settling for third place, separated by an identical margin. The winning time was 1min 23.06secs for the 1400m journey on the Long Course.

The win certainly brought some comfort to Placais who two races earlier was narrowly beaten aboard odds-on favourite and pet horse Super Fortune (see other report), for his fourth consecutive runner-up spot for the night (Basilisk, Infermo and Lim’s Bullet all ran second).

“It’s been a tough night with four seconds at my four previous rides!” said the Frenchman who was stood down after two rides on Tuesday night, after feeling chest pain, as a consequence of his fall from Ottawa on Sunday.

“This horse was always on the bit throughout and at the top of the straight, he was just waiting for my signal – it’s as if he was a sling shot ready to be launched.

“Once I pulled the trigger, he just exploded away. He’s a very nice horse.”

With that second victory, Only Win has taken his stakes earnings around the $90,000 mark for his owners.