Trainer Ricardo Le Grange got to feel either extremity of the vagaries of racing in the first Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series for juveniles on Friday night.

The South African handler was saddling an Argentinian duo for long-time supporter and fellow countryman Bernard Kantor in the $90,000 Kranji Nursery Stakes (1000m) – the almost twin-like named Pennywise and Streetwise.

Le Grange had given the two sons of Pure Prize an adequate preparation towards their local debut for a stalwart owner whose blue and pink diagonals colours had shone numerous times at Kranji during the Patrick Shaw era, for instance Palace Line, Our Falstaff, My Son and Barnato, to name a few. 

Pennywise (Nooresh Juglall) puts paid to his rivals in the Kranji Nursery Stakes, picture Singapore Turf Club

Shaw’s former assistant-trainer was happy enough with their condition although he thought they might need the run, but if he had to split between “Kane and Abel” as to who could upset the applecart, Le Grange was leaning slightly towards Pennywise.

But neither did he totally discount a late rush from Streetwise, even if Michael Clements’ debut winner Drone was on paper hard to beat.

In the end, Le Grange was none the “wiser” who would fare better. Not doing his name proud, Streetwise (Barend Vorster) lost his marbles in the barriers, and was sent for an early shower.

Disappointment did not even begin to describe Le Grange’s state of mind then, but he still had a half-full glass.

Which turned into chinking full glasses of champagne 59.49 seconds later (including a toast to another happy occasion) after the other half, Pennywise, more than made up for his brethren’s brain snap with a brilliant win.

Settled in the slipstream of fleet-footed leader Good Luck Charm (Vlad Duric), Pennywise (Nooresh Juglall) made his intentions to throw down the gauntlet crystal-clear when he came vying for supremacy at the top of the straight.

A short tussle ensued, but Pennywise ($43) was clearly the better horse as he drew clear towards a facile victory.

From the chasing pack, Makkem Lad for Donna Logan and Alysha Collett boldly came chipping away at the margin, but Pennywise was professional all the way to the line, landing the spoils by two and a half lengths.

Makkem Lad lost not marks as he clinched second place, 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Good Luck Charm.

“I just got off the phone with Bernard and I don’t know who was more excited, him or me!” said Le Grange.

“A big thanks to Bernard. It’s a real pleasure to train for a gentleman like him.

“It’s remarkable how well educated those horses from Argentina are. He got them off the farm and after a couple of trials, this one (Pennywise) has put it away.

“Unfortunately the other horse got hooked onto the gates and had to be scratched, but don’t write him off as he’s also got ability.

“A big thank you also to Ignacio Pavlovsky who is our bloodstock agent in Argentina. He bought both horses for Bernard.”

That win was also cause for another celebration for Le Grange as he announced at the winner’s circle that his family just got larger.

“I’d like to dedicate that win to my brother Daniel and his wife Amelle as they just welcome a baby girl in England. They have named her Isla: We have a new filly in the family!” he said.

More pats on the back were in order after the in-form Juglall jumped off saying that Pennywise had mended his ways thanks to Le Grange’s apprentice Krisna Thangamani.

“He’s a very difficult horse to ride, but tonight he was like a real gentleman. Krisna has done a great job with this horse, he rides him every morning,” said the Mauritian jockey.

“A big thanks to Bernard. He has a very good horse in his hands and if he puts his mind to it, he should become a pretty smart horse.

“He won impressively tonight. Let’s hope he carries on like this.”