On the morning of Oct 22 when nine trials were run off at the Selangor Turf Club - three of which were over the sprint trip of 400m it was an eight-year-old who came away looking the best of the lot.
Opening proceedings in trial No. 1, Gamestonks proved just too good for the pack.
Ridden by former Kranji-based apprentice jockey Clyde Leck and trained by his cousin Joseph Leck, the son of Showcasing cleared the chute without any problems and quickly settled off the back of his stablemate, Mainstream.
There he stayed until straightening up for the run home.
Urged on by Leck, Gamestonks took the lead and racing down the middle of the grass track cleared away to beat the fast-finishing Mega Gems by 32 lengths.
Mainstream stayed on for third.
If that was not good enough, Gamestonks broke the minutemark, clocking 59.79sec for the 1,000m trip.
An honest-to-goodness sort of runner, Gamestonks has already brought home 10 wins for his owners - the Fated To Win Stable - last tasting success in a Supreme A race over 1,300m on Aug 24 when he inflicted the immensely talented Antipodean his only defeat.
On the strength of that win at this most recent trial, there could be more of the sort in the offing.
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".