𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐊𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

Vlad Duric, a former four-time Singapore champion jockey, was undefeated at the trials yesterday morning. Since his comeback to Kranji racing in late June, he has recorded 15 victories from 41 rides for an incredible 36.6 percent strike rate.

The Australian, 44, won all four of the matches, narrowly missing out on the championship match.

He received three from his trainer Michael Clements: Petrograd, Muraahib, and Lucky Charm.

Tim Fitzsimmons, his trainer, provided him with his second victory using the promising Mr Black Back.

The 2020 Singapore champion Clements did not have a runner in the trial for newcomers, so he also received a full score.

Additionally, he rode the quinella in the Petrograd heat, when his other trialist, Coin Toss (Marc Lerner), expertly overcame a deficit to place second.

In Muraahib's heat, he fielded five trialists, and when Prosperous Return and Tiger Roar took second and third place, respectively, he earned a tie.

The only horse in his stable was named Lucky Charm.

For their next responsibilities, all four trial winners—especially Petrograd and Mr. Black Back—are noteworthy.

A three-year-old Australian-bred newcomer named Petrograd leaped quickly, but Duric was content to follow Fight On in second place (Danny Beasley).

Soon after straightening, he raised his horse and quickly glided out to win by 31/4 lengths over the late-closing Coin Toss.

Petrograd finished the Polytrack 1,000m in a respectable 60.55 seconds.

Muraahib, who hasn't competed since placing fourth on November 14 of last year, is prepared to make a comeback.

In his final two trials, he improved on his second and fourth to win by a length in the quickest time of the morning, 60.25 seconds.

Once more, Duric waited until the eight-year-old was seated behind Sky Eye (Shafrizal Saleh) before moving.

Muraahib reacted to Duric's gentle prodding to win even though he straightened out a little bit wide.

Duric had to work extra hard on Lucky Charm in the last heat because she had finished a respectable second behind Gamely the week before.

Duric made a swift move after starting third behind Seson and Bizar Wins (Mark Ewe), looking eager to go through the trials card.

From the top of the straight, he begged his mount, but Bizar Wins refused.

Lucky Charm only won by a nose in 61.05 seconds in the final few bounces.

With Unconquered, Fitzsimmons' Mr. Black Back challenged the lead. The 67-rated rookie opened up beautifully after Duric requested some effort at the 300-meter mark.

He won in 61.32 seconds by 11/2 lengths.

Mr. Black Back displayed consistency while being taught by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the past. From six starts, he had two victories (1,400 and 1,600 meters) and three seconds.

He is the type to keep a journal.

Yesterday’s Kranji barrier trial results:

TRIAL 1

1 Petrograd (V. Duric)

2 Coin Toss (M. Lerner)

3 Typhoon (J. Bayliss)

4 Fight On (D. Beasley)

5 Raise Your Glass (M. Kellady)

6 Trusted One (T. Krisna)

Margins and time: 31/4, hd, 3/4, 11/4, 41/2 (1min 00.55sec)

TRIAL 2

1 Mr Black Back (Duric)

2 Unconquered (T.H. Koh)

2 Wild Bee (N. Zyrul)

4 Lady Sprintbok (Beasley)

5 Ima 

6 Mr Hooper

7 All In (B. Pinheiro)

Margins and time: 11/2, dht, hd, 5, 1/2, 2 (1:01.32)

TRIAL 3

1 Muraahib (Duric)

2 Prosperous Return (R. Stewart)

3 Tiger Roar (L. Beuzelin)

4 Sky Eye (S. Shafrizal)

5 Flashfast (Bayliss)

6 Quarter Back (M. Ibrahim)

7 Ocean Crossing (Lerner)

Margins and time: 1, nk, shd, 11/4, 11/2, 73/4 (1:00.25)

TRIAL 4

1 Lucky Charm (Duric)

2 Bizar Wins (M. Ewe)

3 Seson

4 Larry

5 Surge

6 Richaven (Bayliss)

7 Silent Force (Beuzelin)

8 Sportscaster (Stewart)

9 Lim’s Wish (Beasley)

Margins and time: Ns, 4, 21/2, hd, hd, 3/4, 11/2, 61/4 (1:01.05)