Baldy-faced galloper Catch Me Now made all to score his second success from as many starts on Friday.

Officially registered as a chestnut, the three-year-old by Mugharreb has a more roanish kind of coat, which gives him a rough-hewn look, almost a cross between an Apaloosa and one of Australia’s most popular racehorses, Apache Cat. For the record his previous Australian name was Apache Ralph.

As striking and offbeat as his looks may be, the Alvin Tan-trained gelding is certainly not bereft of natural ability.

After winning at debut by racing in a handy spot, Catch Me Now ($20) capitalised on his barrier No 1 to take up the running from barrier rise this time. Volkov (Leong Yoon Fei) did try to engage into a speed battle but Catch Me Now would not allow him the luxury of overtaking him to find the fence.

The pace remained steady until the home turn when the big white face was the first to greet the judge with jockey Soo Khoon Beng still keeping him on a tight rein. Favourite Kennecott (Barend Vorster) was trailing him a few lengths adrift while Tolmon Nika (Danny Beasley) was also chiming in on the outside.

But once Soo urged him forward, Catch Me Now quickly put a few lengths between him and his challengers. Kennecott could not peg him back though he did whittle down the margin to only 1 ½ lengths on the line.

Barrier rogue Kris Katana (Mark Gallagher) ran on nicely for third, another three parts of a length away. The winning time was 1min 11.74secs.

Tan was absolutely rapt his “ugly duckling” is proving a useful sort in spite of his “jungle” looks.

“I got him on the cheap at an Australian farm. Nobody wanted to buy him because he looked like a jungle horse,” said Tan.

“I bought him together with Magic Moxie, who was also an unwanted horse, but with patience and good staff, they have both turned out to be pretty good.

“It’s the owner (Loyalty’s Stable) who picked the name because he looked like a wild horse who wasn’t easy to catch!

“He’s still very green. I will stick with 1200m on grass and slowly bring him up to 1400m one day.”

Soo said he told Tan as the horse paraded before the race that he looked different from most thoroughbreds but there was an undeniable X-factor about him.

“I told Alvin there was something special about him. Hopefully he can become one of his better horses here,” said Soo.

“I know he has early gate speed and as I was drawn on the inside, I decided to make full use of it and not waste the advantage.

“He relaxed nicely and was strong to the line.”