Racing: It could be a thumping good Sunday

SINGAPORE - Hand an ugly duckling over to Hideyuki Takaoka and he'll turn her into a swan.

Over the years, we've seen that happen so many times. Takaoka has got a way with the "girls" and his ability to transform fillies and mares into champions is beyond dispute.

To put the point home, we need only mention the names of two champs and punters usually get the message. Jolies Shinju and Better Life.

Now, "Mister" Takaoka has another good looking gal in his yard and, given time, she too could shape up into something special.

TWO WINS

THUMPING is her name and twice before, we watched her thump her opponents into submission. Her third win could be on the cards if she can reproduce the form she showed on the training track on Wednesday.

With Alan Munro on the reins, Thumping cantered one round before clapping on the pace to run the final 600m in 36.2sec. It was a smart piece of work and it gave a strong signal that she was ready to tackle her all-male rivals in Sunday's Open Benchmark 67 over the mile.

We mentioned Thumping had twice before been successful. The first time was last July. In just her second race start, the then-three-year-old tracked Silver Fly all the way until deep into the home stretch where she took command and cruised to victory. At the post she was almost four lengths ahead of the second-placed runner.

She then ran fourth to Daniel in a Progress event and last November she made it two from four with a win in a Class 4 event over the 1,400m.

Unlike her maiden success when she stayed near the front, her second win took on an entirely different complexion.

After missing the jump, Munro allowed her to bowl along in last place where she settled and gathered her momentum. She had the field of bobbing bottoms in front of her when they turned for home and Munro opted to take her wide for her run.

Halfway down the stretch and Bogart was shouted the winner. But the filly kept going, mowed down the leader like he was a pole in a picket fence and drew away to an easy win.

After a break of two months, she came back in early January to run sixth to Wall Street Boy. She had genuine excuses then as she was held up on two occasions - once from the 600m to the 400m mark and again from the 300m until the 200m.

She meets a small but talented field on Sunday but, being the gutsy gal that she is, we expect the American-bred four-year-old to hold her own over the mile.

brian@sph.com.sg

Get The New Paper for more stories.