In form jockey Saifudin Ismail notched a winning double when Oasis Spur led throughout to claim the $65,000 Causeway Bay Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.
Jumping straight to the front, Oasis Spur held off a determined challenge from Last Man Standing (Barend Vorster) to score by a length with Secret Quest (Matthew Kellady) two lengths away third.
Saifudin had earlier claimed the opening race on the 12 event programme when Fuku Ichiban took out the $35,000 Kowloon Handicap over 1400m.
Oasis Spur (Saifudin Ismail) holds Last Man Standing (Barend Vorster) at bay to score his first win, picture Singapore Turf Club
The double provided Saifudin with his 22nd winner for the season.
Saifudin rated Oasis Spur to a nicety in front once he got the gelding to relax after crossing from his widest draw in the 11 horse field.
Oasis Spur and Last Man Standing were the leading duo on settling down and Vorster was niggling at his horse before the turn.
“My horse was very keen early but I was able to slow down the pace and in the end he gave me a nice ride,” said Saifudin.
“When I asked him for an effort on the hometurn he responded very well. He kept the second horse away and in the end it was a good win.”
Trainer Alvin Tan said he was a little concerned with Oasis Spur going back to the turf track on Sunday after two second placings on the Polytrack at his last two starts.
“I was a bit concerned about him getting back onto the turf as I thought the ground was riding a bit slow and he wants better ground,” said Tan.
“What helped him today was that the track was suiting horses on the speed and he was going to be racing either first or second.
“Luckily he travelled really well in the front and kept it going all the way.
“Hopefully he’s a horse that will just keep on improving and can get over a bit further when he gets older.”
A three-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding by Rusty Spur from the Desert King mare Find An Oasis, Oasis Spur was a NZ$20,000 purchase as a two-year-old.
From seven starts, which has now netted one win and three minor placings, Oasis Spur has returned owners – Oasis Stable – around $67,000 in prizemoney.