Fujin Bright makes it four in a row

A clever gang-tackling ploy devised by trainer Hideyuki Takaoka saw him saddle the consistent FUJIN BRIGHT to his fourth win in a row in Race 5 on Friday night.

With half of the six-horse field in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C (2,000m) under his charge, the Japanese handler was evens to visit the winner's box, although trainer Cliff Brown's Singapore Derby hopeful Wall Street Boy was heralded as the horse to beat by all and sundry.

ALL GUNS FIRING

After being ridden cold at the back, the big chestnut came all guns firing for John Powell at the 300m, but Fujin Bright (Alan Munro), who had dictated terms from the word go, hung on to win by a head.

The winning time was 2min 4.81sec.

Takaoka now has bigger aspirations for his four-in-a-row hero.

"I think he can go for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup," said Takaoka, who landed the Group 2 event over 2,000m with super mare Better Life last year.

"I left it to Alan to ride him as he knows him so well. But I did tell him to try and go forward if he could because he had 58kg on his back.

JUMPED FAST

"He jumped quite fast tonight and once he was able to lead, the rest was up to Alan."

The English jockey has partnered Fujin Bright to all his four wins.

"We took advantage of his speed and led tonight," he said.

"He can go forward and he proved he is a very manageable horse."

"He was a little keen obviously, just wanted to go quicker in the middle stages, but he was okay.

"He gave me a kick coming off the back. The short course on the D course worked in his favour and we could get a sprint on. He showed a big heart to the finish."