Pencarrow Stud-bred four-year-old Serpico (Henrythenavigator x Romanee St. Vivant) led all the way winning the S$60,000 Class 4 Handicap (2000m) in Singapore last night.

Recording three wins from his 18 starts, this is Serpico’s first win at a staying distance with his previous two wins coming at a mile. He had two trials in New Zealand with Tony Pike and Mark Donoghue, winning both as a two-year-old before relocating to Singapore to join Michael Freedman’s stable.

“It was a good tough effort,” noted Freedman. “He is a little bit one paced but he has decent staying ability. This was his second try at 2000m, he got away with some fairly soft sectionals which probably helped a little bit but he is a good, genuine and very honest horse.”

Serpico went straight to the lead, with jockey Craig Newitt jumping from a handy barrier (3) along with Precious Gem (Husson) who sat just to the inside one-length behind. Serpico rolled along setting the pace for the eight-horse field.

The pressure started to build at the top of the straight as the rest of the field gained on Serpico and Singsurat (Where’s That Tiger) began charging to the outside of him. Rivals Galaxy Express (Roses In May) and Precious Gem also challenged Serpico in the final stages as they stormed down the middle of the track.

Serpico managed to ward rivals off, winning by a neck over Galaxy Express who finished in second place and Precious Gem in third.

“I will probably just continue to take him through his grades a bit. He might go up to Class 3 after yesterday’s efforts so will just have a look around and find something suitable for him around a similar distance,” said Freedman.

Owned by Quicksilver Stable, the Henrythenavigator gelding has now earned a total of S$174,890 in prizemoney.

Michael Freedman and Michael Wallace Bloodstock purchased the four-year-old at the 2012 Premier Yearling Sale for $175,000 from Pencarrow Stud.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, Serpico is out of winning mare Romanee St. Vivant (Jetball) who is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Ethereal (Rhythm), winner of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup. Serpico’s dam is also a half-sister to the dam of stakes winner Bespoke-Configure(MAL.) (Pins), winner of the Listed Welcome Stakes.