A four-pronged attack in Friday’s $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 2200m did pay off for trainer Stephen Gray when the better-fancied runner Decimus outstayed the lot to emerge the winner.

Gray, who had saddled Silver Element, Daad’s The Way and Shogun in the same race, said he had always seen a staying future in the Hydrocarbon Stable-owned Decimus, and the Traditionally four-year-old proved him right again.

Settled in a perfect one-out one-back position by Vlad Duric, Decimus ($20) was peeled out for his run at the top of the straight to tackle stablemate Silver Element (Mark Gallagher) at the 300m. 

But Decimus was the superior stayer as he started to pull away decisively inside the last furlong. He did show a tendency to shift out under pressure, but Duric seeing he was well clear, allowed him to roll out to score by 1 ½ lengths from All Elusive (Danny Beasley) with Silver Element plugging on solidly for third another three parts of a length away. The winning time was 2min 18.73secs.

“If only the (Singapore) Derby had been run over 2200m!” said Gray.

“Unfortunately, it is over 2000m and it’s also a weight-for-age race whereas that race was a handicap.

“But we can still have a crack at it. He’s shown tonight that he can step up to another level.

“I’ll just keep him ticking over and probably race him over a mile just to put the speed in him.

“I ran him over the mile without blinkers last time out, just so he can settle better and he ran really well.

“This is pretty much what I did with Lim’s Prestige before he won the Derby in 2007.

“This fellow has also had a beautiful preparation and hopefully we can get him in the Derby. There are no standouts among the four-year-olds this year, so he may be in with a chance.”

Gray said he was also very pleased with Silver Element’s brave run and was not disappointed at all with Daad’s The Way, though he ran seventh.

“Silver Element did all the donkey work in front and must be credited with a very good run,” said Gray.

“You can’t discount Daad’s The Way’s run either as he was going over the 2200m for the first time. I’ll have to look for another suitable race for him.”

Duric, who continues to chip away at premiership leader Joao Moreira, currently suspended but who returns next Friday, brought up a double in the last race when Scorsese prevailed to take his tally to 45 wins, five short of Moreira.

The Australian jockey said Decimus was a progressive type of horse who will not be without a say in the Derby.

“Like Steve, I also wish the Derby was run over 2200m, but I think he’s an improving type of horse who should get his chance if he gets a run,” said Duric.

“He switched off nicely for me and just gave me a beautiful run throughout the race.”