New Zealand-bred sprinter Squall Line broke through for a long overdue win when he took out the $75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Returning a dividend of $65, Squall Line, ridden by Alan Munro, scored by a length over Seligi (Jacky Low) with BM Win (Barend Vorster) two lengths away third.
The victory was Squall Line’s first since scoring for Cliff Brown back in December 2010.
Jockey Alan Munro rides Squall Line to victory in Friday's Class 3 race over 1100m.
Now under the care of Mok Zhan Lun, his fifth trainer after having stints with Tan Hor Khoon, Len Treloar and Brian Dean, Squall Line was having his third start for his new trainer and turned his form around following a last placing over 1200m back on July 13.
Munro had Squall Line racing up in second place on the outside of the favourite Dissolved (Joao Moreira) to the hometurn before taking over and holding on bravely in the run to the line.
Mok said he had given Squall Line a break when he joined his stable and had taken him along quietly.
“He’s a bleeder and I don’t want to do too much with him at trackwork of a morning,” said Mok.
“I just wanted to keep him fresh and race him into fitness and get the weight off him that way.
“Alan rode him a great race tonight and gave him his chance throughout the race.
“I don’t have any specific plans with him. I’ll just keep him ticking over and now that he’s won again hopefully it won’t be long before he wins again.”
Munro said Squall Line gave him a good feel during the race but expected him to weaken when into the straight.
“He surprised me a bit tonight,” said Munro. “He travelled really well to the straight where I thought he may tire.
“However he was obviously a lot fitter than last time and when he changed legs he got his second wind.
“In the end it was a good strong win.”
After winning three of his first four starts, Squall Line was looked upon as being a sprinter of considerable promise before losing his way over the past 18 months.
A six-year-old by My Halo from the Spectacular Love mare Tremble, Squall Line landed his fifth win from 28 starts with a further eight minor placings and took his prizemoney earnings to around $280,000 for the Phenomenal Stable.