News

Brown breaks through in Singapore Derby

18th Jul 2011

*Racenet - Brad Waters - Monday, 18 July 2011

Former Victorian trainer Cliff Brown has landed his first major success in Singapore after Clint posted a comfortable win in Sunday's Group I Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) at Kranji.

Brown took up training in Singapore in 2007 but had endured a frustrating run of minor placings in big races over the past three years.

Australian jockey John Powell had Clint travelling comfortably on the rail, three pairs from the lead, for most of the race before shifting around the leader Better Than Ever's heels at the 200 metres.

Clint sprinted clear to score by 2-1/2 lengths over Better Than Ever with Trafalgar Legacy a long neck away in third.

"I knew the horse was fit and the 2000m would be ideal for him,” Brown told the Singapore Turf Club. "I'm still in a state of shock. Johnny (Powell) gave him a great ride.

"He's been pretty much bombproof throughout his time with us. The 2000m journey was perfect for him and he had a great draw.

"All that he needed was some luck from the draw, which he got, thanks to a great ride by Johnny.”

The win on Clint was Powell's second Singapore Derby win after the rider won the feature on Hello And Goodbye in 2005.

Photo c/- Singapore Turf Club