KUALA LUMPUR:  Nov 4, 2023

Bought for NZ$105,000 at the New Zealand Ready To Run Sale in 2020 heading for Singapore, DABBLE had a disappointing campaign at Kranji with just one third placing to show in nine starts.

But the son of Pure Champion is starting to prove his true worth in Malaysia with five wins in 12 starts thus far.

Trainer Cheng Han Yong initiated the turnaround and won two races in six outings with New Zealand gelding.

Transferred to Sharee Hamilton last May, DABBLE has gone on to win three more races in six starts for the trainer.

His latest victory came, most appropriately, in the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run race at Sugesi Besi here today.

The Class 3 – 1075m sprint was run on the No 2 track and the five-year-old showed his customary speed to lead from the start.

Jockey Harmeet Singh Gill has a tight hold on the pacemaker throughout and in the home stretch, the gelding just drew away and won as he liked by 4 1/4 lengths.

Odds-on favourite MAGIC TURBO, who was vying for his fourth win in five starts, charged home late to take second placing, ahead of MERYL.

“DABBLE was up a class today but the light weight (53kg) was a huge advantage,” said Hamilton.

“He’s a horse that has kept improving and I think he’s still going to be competitive in this grade. Exciting sprinter to have.”

“We managed to lead without any problem,” said Gill who has won twice DABBLE before. “The pace suited him and he won well.”

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