Trainer Lee Freedman wasn’t sure whether Curvature would handle the rain-affected track on Friday, but those concerns proved to be unfounded following a convincing victory in the $80,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes, a Class 3 Division 1 race over 1200m.

The Snitzel four-year-old was also stepping up in class a notch following his last-start win in a Class 4 Premier race over 1200m three weeks ago, but the China Horse Club-owned gelding made light of that higher degree of difficulty as well to show that he certainly had some upsides.

Swinging for home, Curvature (Craig Grylls) came off a one-out one-back position to take the race up to race-leader Wonderful Knight, on whom Freedman’s apprentice jockey Iskandar Rosman was desperately trying to notch his first career win. 

Curvature (Craig Grylls) scores back-to-back wins on Friday, picture Singapore Turf Club

Curvature ($32) could, however, not kick clear as he started to drift out a touch down the middle of the track. It looked like Wonderful Knight ($100) was mounting a fightback on the rails, but it turned out to be just an illusion as Freedman’s charge was in fact never in danger of losing his grip on the race.

The winning margin was three-quarter length with Yulong Xiong Ba (Benny Woodworth) third another two lengths away. Curvature covered the 1200m on the Short Course in 1min 10.11secs.

“I’m delighted for the China Horse Club as they have been wonderful supporters of mine,” said Freedman.

“I just wasn’t sure if he would handle the ground. Snitzel’s usually do, and he did, anyway, which was good.

“He’s a nice horse I will probably keep to 1400m for now. He’s a horse that sits close to the speed and then kicks on, which is more reminiscent of a 1400m horse.”

Curvature has been a special horse for Grylls in March. After their earlier successful pairing on March 11, he went on to provide the Kiwi jockey with his only two wins for that month.

“We had a lovely run in transit. He was overracing just a little early and he then came back nicely underneath me,” said Grylls who was now at win No 11 for the season.

“He travelled good and gave a good kick at the top of the straight. He’s a horse who’s obviously got some ability and has a bright future here.”

Curvature has in two wins and one third place already banked in around $80,000 in stakes money for connections.