Thursday, 21 September 2017: A win in a modest $35,000 Open Maiden race in Singapore does not really scream headline material, but Lord Of Cloud’s victorious debut did draw the attention of a few breeding buffs in New Zealand.

Including Trish Dunell, New Zealand racing identity, keen photographer and owner with husband Graham Mackie of former Singapore champion galloper Spalato, among others.

Lord Of Cloud winning the OPEN MAIDEN

Dunell did not breed, neither does she have any stakes in Lord Of Cloud , but she was still chuffed no end to see the three-year-old colt register a first win as the progeny of New Zealand second-season sire Niagara, reason being she did breed a Niagara out of a half-sister to Spalato’s dam, Ellington.

Winner of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), Niagara, a son of Encosta De Lago has been standing at Oaks Stud, the same stud where New Zealand champion stallion Darci Brahma stands at, since 2016 and Lord Of Cloud, who is out of Masterclass mare Miss Jean Brodie, was his very first foal.

Lord Of Cloud as a foal with his mother Miss Jean Brodie

“Lord Of Cloud was the first foal born by Niagara, and is now his first winner,” said Dunell.

“It’s interesting that his first start is over 1400 metres. I've always felt that he would leave middle distance horses.

“I had a Niagara trial winner on Thursday, from a half-sister to Spalato's dam, first time of asking.”

Lord Of Cloud’s trainer Leticia Dragon for one saw a bright future in her new ward, who is raced by relative newcomer Billion Dollars Stable, and rushed from a midfield spot under jockey Benny Woodworth as a $93 longshot to deny favourite New Sensation (John Powell) in the Open Maiden race over 1400m.

“Lord Of Cloud has been with me since May and he showed ability from Day 1. I bought him as a trial winner in New Zealand and recommended him to his current owner,” she said.

“He’s a very progressive sort, very professional from the first day I put a saddle on him, going to show how well educated he was back home.

“He ran a nice barrier trial couple of weeks ago. I was looking for a Restricted Maiden or Initiation race, but in the end picked an Open Maiden race over 1400m.

“I expected him to run well first-up and he didn’t disappoint. Trish gave me some information about the breeding, and it’s interesting to learn that he was the first New Zealand foal and the first to win.

“I heard there was another winner last week and a couple have trialled in New Zealand. So, things are looking up for Niagara.”

After a relatively quiet start, things are also looking up for Dragon who racked up a training double last Friday after Bellus Wonder turned the opening act.

She will saddle one of her stable banners this Friday, her versatile mare Fortune Winner who is making her racing comeback after a six-month spell in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m.

“She had a bit of a spell, but she generally runs good first-up,” said Dragon of the Argentinian-bred seven-time winner.

“She has had three barrier trials already, and she improved with each trial. She was quite heavy when she came back, around 35kgs heavier, but she is close to her racing weight now, even if I think she’s only 85% there.

“She’s now six and I think she doesn’t need that much work to come to fitness.”

Fortune Winner, who has drawn in barrier No 8 and will have only 53.5kgs on her back, will be ridden by former Singapore champion apprentice jockey Mark Ewe, who was aboard at the last five of her seven wins.