Always Certain completed a magical day’s racing at Kranji when he beat the best stayers in Singapore in today’s Group Two $300,000 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m).

Ridden to perfection by in form hoop John Powell, Always Certain came home strongly to beat the region’s star three-year-old Gingerbread Man.

Risky Business made it a trifecta for Magic Millions graduates when he steamed home from the back of the field to run third.

The win completed a feature race double for trainer Michael Freedman following the victory of Mr Big in the Magic Millions Juvenile Championship around an hour earlier.

“He’s such a talented horse and it’s very satisfying to see him finally win a big race for my friend Bernard who has been one my supporters from Day 1.”

“I think there were at least five times when I’ve gone home wondering what could have been if he had not been checked etc.”

“The Derby didn’t pan out the way we wanted for him. He met traffic problems but he still ran super for fifth when the race was all over.”

“He pulled up so well after the race that I had a word with Bernard that I might look at the Chairman’s Trophy.”

“I will now seriously look at the Gold Cup as I’m sure he will run a great 2200 metres,” Freedman added.

Always Certain has now earned almost S$800,000 from his 23 starts – not bad considering he cost just $60,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

At the Gold Coast auction he was offered by Swettenham Stud, as agent for breeder Dr Paul Cradock and was purchased by Grant Pritchard-Gordon’s Badgers Bloodstock.

“Lee really liked him at the sales,” Michael Freedman said. “And he started off with him in Victoria.”

“It was decided to geld him and it was then he was switched to me in Singapore by owner Bernard Lee.”

“Bernard was instrumental in helping me get my licence in Singapore and this horse was one of the first in the stable – so it’s very special.”

The win continued the good run in feature races for John Powell – he recently captured the Singapore Derby aboard Cliff Brown’s Clint.

“I rode him more aggressive than usual,” Powell reported. “I didn’t want him to get too far back as I didn’t the others to give him too much of a start.”

“He’s not the easiest horse to ride as he needs to get to the outside. If horses come back on him, he tends to run out of luck.”

“Thanks to Michael for the ride. When he rang me last week I was only too happy to accept such a good ride,” Powell added.

Always Certain, by former star Magic Millions graduate Not a Single Doubt, is one of two winners produced by the stakes winning Akaaber mare Akarana.

A full sister to Tasmanian Derby winner Suavity, Akarana won the listed Vanity Stakes at Flemington at three.

Winner: Always Certain
Breeding: Not a Single Doubt-Akarana (Akaaber)
Race: Singapore TC Chairman’s Trophy G2 (1800m)
Sold for: $60,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Swettenham Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Badgers Bloodstock
Earnings: S$793,454
Owner(s): Horizon Stable
Trainer: Michael Freedman (Kranji)

PICS – Singapore Turf Club.