LORD ROBERTO wins for 3rd time in Singapore
Story courtesy of Craig Brennan and Singapore Turf Club.
A step up in distance and a return to the Polytrack paved the way to victory for Lord Roberto in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Ridden by Lisa Allpress, Lord Roberto scored by two-and-a-quarter lengths over Casino King (Greg Cheyne) with Daad’s The Way (Corey Brown) three-and-three-quarter lengths back in third place.
Allpress had Lord Roberto tracking the speed set by Casino King (Greg Cheyne) from the outset and was content to allow the leader to control the pace.
In-form jockey Lisa Allpress steers Lord Roberto to a smart win in Race 3 on Friday night.
Turning for home Casino King threw a scare into those chasing as he snuck a two length lead on the chasing pack, but Allpress got to work on Lord Roberto who began to chase gamely, getting on terms with the leader at the 150m mark and proving too strong in the run home.
Daad’s The Way was with the tailenders early but ran on gamely to claim third spot on the line.
Trainer Mark Walker said Lord Roberto was the biggest horse in his stable and went to the post on Friday night weighing 604kg and being a New Zealander, Walker used a rugby analogy in describing Lord Roberto.
“He’s a massive horse,” said Walker. “If he was an ‘All Black’ (the New Zealand national Rugby team) and he stood on you, you’d know all about it.
“He weighs in at over 600kg and is by far the biggest horse we have in the stable.
“He had a few lead-up runs leading into tonight’s race and appreciated getting onto the Polytrack and stepping up in distance.
“This is his favourite trip and he relished it tonight.”
After a double last Sunday, Allpress has now ridden five winners since kicking off her latest Singapore campaign at the start of September.
She described Lord Roberto as “quite a nice horse” and added that he appreciated getting out to Friday night’s journey.
“He’s a big horse but he’s quite a nice horse all-the-same,” said Allpress. “He’s still growing into himself and has just needed a bit of time.
“I’ve been galloping him and he’s been going OK and it’s good to get a win on him tonight.”
After having three starts in New Zealand for one minor placing, Lord Roberto has since had 17 starts in Singapore, registering three wins and four minor placings.
His victories and placings have all come on the Polytrack in nine starts while from his eight turf track starts he has yet to fill a place.
A five-year-old Australian-bred by Encosta De Lago from Prized Glory, Lord Roberto took his prizemoney to around $140,000 for Fortuna NZ Racing Stable with Friday night’s success.