Command getting closer to Gold
King’s Command (Tavistock) boosted his chances of a ticket to the $1 million Singapore Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) after his commanding win on Saturday.
On 67 points, trainer Shane Baertschiger’s five-year-old grey languished around ten nominations down the list of the time-honoured handicap race, badly in need of a win to climb his way up closer to the cut-off mark.
While it was mission accomplished after the son of Tavistock (Montjeu) came off a patient ride from claiming jockey Zyrul Nor Azman to take out the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1800 metres, they’re not out of the woods yet.
A penalty of say five to six points from the handicapper might only see him leapfrog over six or seven runners – which may or may not be enough.
With the race still three weeks away on November 14, his Australian handler, however, remained upbeat given much water could go under the bridge by then.
“He had to win today. There’s no way he would have won with 59 kilograms and that’s why I put Zyrul on – to get three kilos off,” said Baertschiger.
“My instructions to him today were to settle midfield or worse than midfield. When I saw the two leaders (Buddy Buddy and Con Speranza) going at each other upfront, I was smiling.
“The win has even more merit after he ripped his front shoe down the back straight. He’s a really nice horse.
“He was a bit flat after his last run (July 3) before he was supposed to run in the Singapore Derby. I gave him a spell and today was his first time going beyond the mile, second-up over 1800 metres.
“But he’s a Tavistock, I never had any doubt he can get the trip and even 2000 metres. He would be a good lightweight chance in the Gold Cup.
“I hope he can get in. After today’s win, if he gets six or seven points, he’d probably go up to around 18th position.”
The capacity field for the Singapore Gold Cup is 16.
Legend Azhar a big part in First Bowl’s win
Trainer Daniel Meagher had Singapore-Malaysia racing legend Azhar Ismail to thank after First Bowl (Battle Paint) landed the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race (1200m) on Saturday.
Many would be unaware of the multiple Malaysian champion jockey’s whereabouts, but would be pleased to know he now works as a senior track rider for the Group 1-winning Australian handler after his jockey’s licence was not renewed at the end of 2020.
The veteran rider could have returned home to carry on riding, but decided to hang up his boots and instead help Meagher, someone he has always got along with.
Besides, his very last win came on Asaad for Meagher on December 19, 2020. Azhar might have hoped for a fairytale ending at his last meeting one week later, but fell short on his three bookings, even finishing third on First Bowl.
The 58-year-old is the one who rides the Battle Paint (Tale Of The Cat) six-year-old in trackwork now. He might not have been able to crack it for First Bowl’s first Kranji win (the former Malaysian-based gelding came as a one-from-one winner in Kuala Lumpur) on that last day at the office, but the experienced horseman sure had a hand in his three Singapore wins this year.
“That horse was not very genuine early, but he’s a pretty easy horse to train now,” said Meagher.
“All credit to Azhar who rides First Bowl at the back track. He’s done a great job on him.
“We’ve known Azhar for a long time, and when he stopped, we decided to employ him. He’s been a tremendous asset to the stable, it’s an honour to have a legend on our payroll.”
Ridden by Danny Beasley, First Bowl ($17) settled in the first few on the back of Longhu (Per Incanto), who tried to utilise his gate speed to secure the lead from his wide alley, but in vain.
Unsurprisingly, Longhu was left without a kick when he couldn’t dictate. Needing no second invitation, First Bowl pounced on him upon straightening before punching home a one and a quarter length winner from King Arthur (I Am Invincible) with Winning Spirit (Itsmyluckyday) in third place another length away.
The winning time was 1min 10.98secs for the 1200 metres on the Polytrack.
“This horse has been consistent in these types of racing. He has done a great job climbing from Class 5 to Class 4,” said Meagher.
“Danny also rode him perfectly. I’ve put blinkers on at his last few runs, and they seem to help.”
Originally known as Triple Bowl, First Bowl, who races in Meagher’s colours, has now taken his record to four wins, three seconds and six thirds from 26 starts for prize-money around the $145,000 mark.
The Meagher-Beasley combination later went on to notch a double in the last race, the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1400 metres, with comeback galloper Saturno Spring (Greenspring) ($28).
Third win in four for progressive Reignite
Progressive sprinter Reignite (Sebring) kept his hot winning form going with a third win in his last four starts on Saturday.
A luckless second at his last race, the Sebring (More Than Ready) four-year-old has bounced straight right back with a slashing win as the even-money favourite in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 (1200m).
The key to the win was getting a tow behind Romantic (Showcasing) from the rear of the field and launching once jockey Marc Lerner popped him off Romantic’s heels for his run to the wire.
Romantic also let down well, but Reignite packed a little more punch in his finish to go and score a soft one-length win from Romantic in the end. Basilisk (Battle Paint) ran on for third another two lengths away.
The winning time was 1min 11.10secs for the 1200 metres on the Long Course. Reignite has now taken his stakes earnings past the $90,000 mark for the Te Akau Racing Stable.
Winning trainer Mark Walker takes a step closer to a fourth premiership title with that 61st winner, extending his lead on reigning champion trainer Michael Clements to eight wins.
The Kiwi horseman said the penny has dropped for Reignite with enough reasons to believe he will hold his own against better rivals.
“He took a little time to acclimatise at his first prep. We gave him a break and he has fully acclimatised now, he’s so much better,” said Walker.
“I think the owners will have good fun with him. He’s much better than Class 4 for sure.
“At this stage, I’ll keep him to sprint races. There is a Class 3 race over 1200 metres for him next month.”
While Walker praised Lerner for a ten-out-of-ten ride, he also spared a thought for his leading apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin.
“Hakim couldn’t ride today after he fell off his mountain bike on Tuesday and had to get some stitches. He should be right next week,” he said.
“I couldn’t put Shafiq (Rizuan) on as he is suspended (for careless riding). Luckily, Marc was available and I booked him right away, he’s ridden the horse a treat.”
Red Dragon breaks maiden at fourth attempt
Red Dragon (Redwood) has not taken long to justify his status as a blackbooker following a first win in Saturday’s $75,000 Restricted Maiden (1400m).
Punted down to solid $11 favouritism, the Kuah Cheng Tee-trained galloper gave punters something to cheer about after Emergency Acceptor Wind Of Dubai (Pride Of Dubai) scored at $59 odds in the first race, the $30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race (1400m).
Twice runner-up at Restricted Maiden and Novice level in three previous starts, Red Dragon certainly looked like he would land a few decent bets this time around when Simon Kok Wei Hoong got busy on him at the 400-metre mark.
Travelling one-off in fifth place, Red Dragon relished the fast tempo set by leader Dabble (Pure Champion) to present with a stiff challenge three wide at the top of the straight, albeit a little wayward in his execution – as a three-year-old at only his fourth start can be.
But once Kok got him back on an even keel, he displayed great professionalism inside the last 200 metres as he gathered in the leader before foiling a late charge from Northern Star (Written Tycoon) by one length.
Dabble did well to finish on board for the first time, one length away in third. Red Dragon clocked 1min 23.61secs for the 1400 metres on the Long Course.
Thanks to his two previous placings, the son of Redwood (High Chaparral) has now made close to $70,000 in prizemoney for the Red Dragon Stable, a China-based outfit.
“This horse showed ability from Day 1. The only time he didn’t run well was second-up when he was caught wide,” said Kuah.
“He was also very excited, was running on and off, and that’s when I decided to remove the earmuffs. He’s a lot calmer now.
“Today, he was still a bit green. At the parade ring, he’s very difficult to saddle up, but in trackwork, he’s okay.
“I ride him myself sometimes, but usually, it’s my track riders who ride him. They’ve done a great job with this horse.”
Now that Red Dragon seems to have settled his nerves better, Kuah has earmarked longer trips as his next ventures.
“He’ll get better over more ground. I will take him to 1600 metres at some stage,” said the former jockey.