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An aborted crack at the Singapore Derby in July turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Wind Trail, was jockey Marc Lerner’s take on the Japanese-bred’s third win on Friday night.

The French jockey, who was sealing another successful meeting having earlier saluted aboard another Hideyuki Takaoka ward, Sun Elizabeth (see earlier report), said some "complications" surfaced while the Screen Hero four-year-old went through his prep races towards the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.

The yard had to back him off as a result, and after a third place first-up in a Class 4 Division 2 race over the mile on September 20, he was back on the "win trail" indeed when risen to the 1 ¼ mile of the $50,000 Class 4 race.

Granted, his marble one was a major shot in the arm in tucking into the box seat throughout, but he still had to get the right run when the 10-horse field packed up around the home turn.

Lerner, who has been riding in white-hot form of late, did not have to wait long before a run presented itself. In the twinkling of an eye, Wind Trail  sliced through the field, opening up nicely to what looked like a decisive break inside the last furlong.

Middle Kingdom (Daniel Moor) wound up at the eleventh hour, but the bird had already flown. He could only settle for second place one and a quarter lengths away with another backmarker Larry (Ben Thompson) closing in late for third place another half-length away.

The winning time was 2min 3.12 secs for the 2000m on the Short Course.

"We did consider him for the Derby, but he had some complications to his legs," said Lerner.

"His first-up run was good, and the 2000m second-up was perfect. So, you can say the problems he had were good and bad, he missed the Derby but the break was good to him.

"Tonight, the blinkers helped channel his energy better as well. I think he's a horse who can give us plenty of fun next year."

Takaoka for one was having plenty of fun as he led in his second winner of the night, even if his typically one-dimensional post-race reactions do not lend to that impression.

"I was quite confident he would run well tonight," said the Japanese master conditioner of stayers.

"After his last run, he's been doing well, he was a lot fitter. Marc is riding very well and it's a great result for us tonight."

With that third win from nine starts, Wind Trail has now taken his prizemoney level to around the $90,000 mark for the Galahad Racing Stable.