SPEED IS IN PACIFIC VAMPIRE'S BLOOD

Return to basics shows it may be better not to tamper with dashing front runner’s style

- Michael Lee

The message Pacific Vampire sent when he bounced back to winning ways on Aug 11 was loud and clear: "Don't cramp my style." With Bruno Queiroz back at the reins, he channelled the Pacific Vampire of old when he dashed up front, unrestrained and unbridled.

Into the straight, there were no signs of a sudden collapse. The $11 favourite did shorten up late and was begging for the line, but the 11/2-length margin over runner-up Energy Baby (Chad Schofield) was still comfortable.

Fans of the horse tagged as the overnight Kranji sensation back in April were delighted to see that X factor had just been in a slumber.

At his first two wins (1,000m and 1,200m) in as many Kranji starts, the Sydney import (then known as Shadow Vampire) blew away the opposition.

Living up to his blood-thirsty name, he took the race by the scruff of the neck from the start before leaving a path of destruction in his wake.

The ease of the wins, coupled with a quick glance at his contrasting come-from-behind wins in Australia, had trainer Jason Ong toying with loftier - and longer targets.