The Pencarrow Stud-bred Mr Clooney (Pentire x Division) dashed to the first victory of his career in Singapore last night in the S$35,000 Maiden Stakes (1600m).

Having just his fourth start, Mr Clooney finished mid-field in his previous three runs, with his last start a fifth placing over 1600m a month prior for trainer Laurie Laxon.

“He is a promising horse and will make a very good stayer,” commented Laxon. “It didn’t surprise me when he won, however, he still doesn’t know what he is doing just yet.”

Starting from barrier 2, Michael Rodd was aboard Mr Clooney and took him forward in the early stages to settle in fourth position. He tracked the leaders, racing one off the rail with Bimala (Bernardini) improving on the inside with 800m to run.

Held up briefly at the top of the straight, Mr Clooney darted to the rail inside pacemaker Our River Dancer (Danehill Dancer) and sprinted away from his rivals, winning by an impressive two-and-a-quarter-length margin over Our River Dancer with Gold Crown (Holy Roman Emperor) in third.

The four-year-old gelding was purchased at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale by Laxon for $130,000 from Pencarrow Stud and is now raced by the Oscar Racing Stable.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, the son of Pentire is out of winning mare Division (Danehill) who is a half-sister to the dam of stakes-winner Go Now (Go for Gin), winner of the Listed Mountaineer Fall Stakes.

Mr Clooney is from the same family as seven-time American Group 1 winner Slew O’ Gold (Seattle Slew), dual Group 1 winners Coastal (Majestic Prince) and Aptitude (A.P. Indy), and Sleep Easy (Seattle Slew), Slumber (Cacique) and Real Solution (Kitten’s Joy), also winners at Group 1 level.