Jockey John Sundradas is adamant it was the Polytrack coupled with the postage-stamp weight that contributed to Strong N Best’s slashing win in the $70,000 Class 3 race over the all-weather mile on Saturday.
The Singaporean rider would be well versed in the Rock 'N' Pop five-year-old's characteristics having teamed up with him at his last three starts, including a win in a Polytrack 1700m event for Class 4 gallopers back in October.
Besides, John is the one who rides Strong N Best in trackwork, always an invaluable asset for any jockey.
With noted frontrunner Ironchamp (Iskandar Rosman) ensuring a steady clip to the race, Strong N Best enjoyed a cosy midfield rails-hugging journey without spending a penny.
Into the home stretch, John angled his mount towards a wide enough gap between two of the Michael Clements quintet, Tangible (Manoel Nunes) and Real Success (Jake Bayliss) while Pennywise (Danny Beasley) was being hailed the winner after he easily mastered the weakening Ironchamp.
But once Strong N Best hit top gear, he sliced through the pack to go and score by 1 ¼ lengths from Tangible with Savvy Command (Troy See) third another neck away. Pennywise stayed one-paced when it mattered, settling for fourth place another neck away.
Well backed into $19, Strong N Best clocked 1min 39.51secs for the Polytrack 1600m and has now chalked up a decent record of three wins, five seconds and one third from 14 starts for stakes earnings around the $135,000 mark for Singapore-based Chinese owner Yong Yong Stable.
Winning trainer Kuah Cheng Tee said his ward had pleased in the lead-up to the win, but deflected all merit to the rider.
"Thank you to the jockey. John does most of the preparation," said Kuah, himself a former hoop.
"The light weight was also a big help, and he loves this trip. He's won once over 1700m before, but to me, he's more of a miler."
John expounded further on Strong N Best's strongest suits.
"He's a genuine horse, but I've always felt he was a better horse on Polytrack," said the former Singapore champion apprentice jockey.
"He's good on turf as he showed at his last start (third in a Class 3 race over 1400m), but it's not as good as his Polytrack form. He had a nice run and with the light weight, he drew away.
"CT just told me to take him to the outside when making my move, and to get cover for him for as long as I can as he can pull when he sees daylight too early.
"I actually feel lucky CT went for a Class 3 race instead of a Class 4 as there is more stakes money in a Class 3 race."
Kuah would also be pleased with the higher cut that comes with a higher-grade event, but to him, the bottom line is to have more tools at his disposal in order to tap into the pool of prizemoney available.
"The Yong Yong Stable is from China but is based in Singapore. They have only three horses with me currently, this one (Strong N Best), Red Dragon and an unraced horse," said Kuah.
"I'm already grateful to them for supporting me even with the pandemic around. They could have left, but they have stayed on.
"Hopefully, they can buy some more new horses soon."
