Two Pencarrow Stud bred horses have been successful in Singapore over the weekend with Oriental Pearl (Darci Brahma x Paint Me a Dream) and Serpico (Henrythenavigator x Romanee St. Vivant) both saluting at Kranji on Friday night.

The Michael Clements trained Oriental Pearl dead-heated with the Mark Walker trained Zac Heaven in the first race on the programme over 1200m in a S$35,000 Stakes D race.

It was a welcome return to form for the son of Darci Brahma, having been out of the winners circle since May last year.

Ridden by Ivaldo Santana, the four-year-old gelding settled second in the running keeping Zac Heaven within striking distance. The pair entered the straight together and Oriental Pearl put his head in front only for Zac Heaven to fight back on the line. The judge was not able to split the pair and a dead heat was adjudged.

“The horse has always had loads of ability,” commented Clements. “He won his first race and has always shown that ability, as most of the Darci Brahmas do up here.

“He has had a few aches and pains, nothing serious, that we have nursed him through. It was a turnaround in form but now we know how to get on top of what worries him and gave him a freshen up since his last run.

“He is a horse with a lot of speed. He positioned well in the race and fought on well. I have always rated the horse and he is heading in the right direction. I expect him to hold his own in the class he is in now.”

The win was the third from 12 starts for Oriental Pearl who has earned S$80,522 for his owners the Florida Stable.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, the son of Darci Brahma is out of Paint Me a Dream (Deputy Minister), a half-sister to Group 1 winner and successful American sire Honour and Glory (Relaunch). Oriental Pearl is the second winner from Paint Me a Dream.

Mr Kee Siak Poh purchased Oriental Pearl for $50,000 as a two-year-old at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale from Kilgravin Lodge.

Later in the evening Serpico was successful for Michael Freedman over 1600m to break through for the gelding’s first win. The three-year-old got a deserved maiden victory after a run of five consecutive second placings from only six career starts.

Apprentice rider S Noh bounced the son of Henrythenavigator from the outside barrier to cross the field early to sit outside the leader in second place with only a short run into the first turn on the polytrack at Kranji.

Serpico tracked the leader Marcusino (Holt) around the corner and laid down a strong challenge in the straight. Marcusino fought hard on the inside but Serpico showed more determination to gain an overdue success by a neck at the post.

“It was good to see him get over the line,” stated Freedman. “He is still learning so I am hoping that win will give him a bit of confidence.

“He is showing all the signs that he will get up over a bit of distance which his pedigree suggests would suit him. I think he has the makings of a nice young stayer.

“There might have been a few people wondering if he was genuine or not but most of the time when he had run second it was through inexperience more than anything and I think when he steps up over more distance that should suit him.”

With Friday’s maiden victory Serpico has earned S$73,260 in prizemoney for his owners the Quicksilver Stable.

Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela bred the gelding out of Romanee St. Vivant (Jetball), a daughter of the great Pencarrow mare Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram) making her a half-sister to Group 1 Caulfield/Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm).

Michael Freedman/Michael Wallace Bloodstock purchased Serpico at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale for $175,000 from Pencarrow Stud.