Trainer Fownes sets himself apart with belief in Lucky Nine

To some extent, what was lost in the rush and the John Moore "monkey-off-the-back" moment at Kranji was the superb training performance from Caspar Fownes, producing Lucky Nine at his deadly best after recent hiccups.

There were plenty about town - both here and there - who thought Fownes should have been censured for even taking Lucky Nine to Singapore after two defeats, let alone considering him a winning chance.

For something different, we'll let jockey Brett Prebble write this item.

"That is what separates the best trainers from the average ones. Lucky Nine had had those little issues and raced below his best but Caspar knew he'd be able to turn him right around. That was outstanding - try doing it with a horse in an average race, never mind doing it in a Group One overseas," Prebble said.

"When I came back in on Sunday and everyone was cheering and screaming and guys stick microphones in front of you and ask you about the race and what a great horse he is and all that sort of thing, it's a blur and you just tend to answer the questions being thrown at you.

"You don't get a chance to say some things you want to say, that everyone should hear, but to me the training performance was the highlight of that win.

"Caspar was going to have egg on his face if he took Lucky Nine there and he didn't run well, but I guess the best trainers just have a gut feeling and go with it and they get it right."