It was a successful day at the races in Singapore yesterday for Pencarrow Stud graduates with three horses in winning form, Dylan (Darci Brahma x Battocchi), Bob (Darci Brahma x Huluava) and Aspen (Alamosa x Kirin Belle).

All three Singapore winners were bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela; Dylan and Bob are both from Laurie Laxon’s stable and both owned by Oscar Racing Stable. Taking part in the Kranji Stakes, Dylan won the S$38,000 1200m race and Bob won the S$38,000 1600m. Aspen, trained by Mark Walker and owned by Te Akau Racing Stable, won the Kranji Stakes S$80,000 1400m race.

Dylan had his first two trials in New Zealand for Cambridge trainer Mark Brooks before relocating to Singapore for a further two trials ahead of his racing debut as a two-year-old. This was his second win from ten starts as he won by a head for jockey Manoel Nunes, now recording a total of S$76,726 in prizemoney.

The three-year-old gelding is out of stakes winning mare, Battocchi (Success Express), winner of two Listed races. He is a half-sister to Guiseppina (Johar) who won the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap and is also a full-brother to Group 2 Wellington Guineas runner-up Micken (Darci Brahma).

Last night was Bob’s second win from his thirteen starts after breaking his maiden status four starts ago. The four-year-old gelding has produced impressive form since returning from a spell in August, placing no further back than fourth. Ridden by Michael Rodd, Bob, who was race-favourite, led all the way for a 1.3 length victory, taking his earnings to a total of S$102,972.

“Bob can be a difficult horse to ride as he hangs a lot, especially if you grab him, he will fight you,” commented assistant-trainer Shane Ellis. “But Michael rode him a treat, he just let him roll along and it’s all worked out to plan.”

Bob is out of winning Pencarrow mare, Huluava (Pins) who is a half-sister to winner of the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes Vercors (Catbird). Bob is a half-brother to two winners, Hvala (Sakhee’s Secret) and Hoofsain Bolt (Casino Prince).

“They do the job and that’s all we need,” said Ellis. “These horses are good bread-and-butter sorts who can win races.”

Aspen, a son of Alamosa, won on debut in New Zealand as a three-year-old for trainer Jason Bridgman before relocating four starts later to Walker’s Singapore stable. His race history in New Zealand saw him run third in the Group 1 Levin Classic, with his total stakes at $110,063 to date. Recording three wins and a third from his 10 starts, he achieved last night’s victory by half-a-length, also ridden by Nunes.

“He is a nice progressive horse,” commented Mark Walker. “He was unlucky last start and last night it showed, he should have won his previous start but he is a horse that is going to go through the grades pretty quickly.

“Our main aim will be the Derby in July so will probably give him just one more run this prep, and then he will go for a spell before aiming for the Derby.”

Aspen is out of a McGinty mare, Kirin Belle (McGinty), a winner at 1200m. He is a half-brother to stakes winners Winning Belle (Zabeel), winner of the Group 2 Queensland Guineas, and Our Ella Belle (Encosta de Lago), winner of the Group 3 Taranaki Cup.