Trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Danny Beasley combined for a race-to-race double with a couple of smart performers in Singapore. Freedman in fact had the perfect day, saddling two runners for two winners. Zac Beat It got the ball rolling by taking the $75,000 Progress Stakes over 1600m while Bianconi gelding Tumbulgum made it three wins from four starts in Singapore with victory in the $95,000 Class 2 Stakes over 1200m. Freedman described Tumbulgum as “very brilliant” and right up there as one of the best gallopers he has prepared in his short stint in Singapore. Working his way to an early lead, Tumbulgum held on to score by a length over the gallant Smart Excel (Mark Gallagher) with Pacino (Barend Vorster) a nose away third. To add merit to the victory the gelding lost a shoe from one of his front feet. “I don’t think he was as brilliant today as what he was when successful at his second start here,” said Freedman. “But he has had a bit of racing and he did have to do a bit of work early.” Tumbulgum suffered his only Singapore defeat at the hands of Better Than Ever in the Group 3 Three Rings Trophy over 1400m and Freedman felt the gelding was a little to brilliant at this stage for that trip. He said he will now give serious consideration to taking on the likes of Rocket Man, Tuxedo Moon and Mexican Rose in the Group 3 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the Polytrack on March 12. “He’s proven himself on the Polytrack and I think he deserves a shot at that race,” said Freedman. “I’ll monitor how he pulls up from this race and if I think everything is OK with him then he can go on to that race. “If I think he’s a little jaded, then he can have a freshen up and we’ll look at something a little easier. “Maybe the Kranji Sprint which is run under handicap conditions could be a good option.” The Group 3 $200,000 Kranji Sprint over 1200m is the second leg of the Singapore Sprint Series and will be run on April 2. Tumbulgum, a four-year-old by Bianconi from the Alquoz mare Herries has now won around $140,000 in prizemoney for owner John McPhee. | Craig Brenann - Singapore Turf Club | |