Leatherhead scores in record-breaking time amid sad news
Leatherhead (Helmet) sliced 0.19 seconds off the Polytrack mile record recently equalled by Super Dynasty (Fastnet Rock) when landing yesterday’s Colonial Chief Stakes (1600m) at Kranji.
Winning trainer Ricardo Le Grange was evidently pleased he has a new record holder under his barn roof but the celebrations were noticeably subdued despite the memorable feat of stopping the clock at 1 min 37.45 secs.
Le Grange learned on Friday that his former mentor Patrick Shaw’s father had passed away in South Africa.
With Le Grange as his right-hand man right through the overseas stint, Shaw trained with great success at Kranji from 2001 to 2016, claiming the Singapore champion trainer title in 2011 as well as overseeing the career of sprinting star Rocket Man (Viscount).
“Leatherhead’s record-breaking win was just fantastic, both for me and the owner Rudy Mendoza, who has become a great supporter of mine and Singapore racing,” said Le Grange.
“It’s a well-deserved accolade for both the horse and Rudy, and how not to mention Ruan Maia’s strike-rate on Polytrack, which is just outstanding. Good old Mighty Emperor making it a 1-2 for us is such a lovely bonus, too.
“But all this is put in perspective with the sad news that Pat’s dad Bernie passed away in South Africa last night. I’ve known Bernie very well and I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact he’s not with us anymore – this one’s for you, Bernie.”
Leatherhead ($26) had joint-favourite Asaad (Orpen) in his sights in a one-out one-back spot from the start, and once he took closer order while approaching the home turn, the issue was soon a foregone conclusion.
With Alexander Horatio (Toronado) on the inside having turned sparring partner to Asaad at the head of affairs, they were soon left as sitting ducks when Leatherhead pounced on them upon straightening.
Given his full head by Maia, the five-year-old cleared out to an emphatic two and three-quarter length win from his fast-closing stablemate Mighty Emperor (Kahal) who just pipped Asaad for the perfect Le Grange result.
Entertainer keeps the Maia show going
Ruan Maia cemented further his reputation as an astute Polytrack rider with yet another win notched on the alternative track.
From 67 winners in 365 rides at Kranji thus far, 40 of them have occurred on Polytrack, including all three legs of his riding treble at the opening day on January 3.
Once the Brazilian sent the well-backed Entertainer (Zoustar) straight to the lead in yesterday’s $20,000 open maiden race over 1100 metres, it was as good as a one-way ticket for the four-year-old.
The Mark Walker-trained gelding went on to open his account by a length and three-quarters from longshot Eight Ball (Stryker) with Don’t Tell Tilly (Testa Rossa) third another half-length away.
“I rode this horse in a restricted maiden race last time, and I know him quite well,” said Maia.
“At his last start, he ran in a Class 4 race and showed good form. Today I had good control of the race in front and he won a very nice race.”
An AUD$150,000 purchase as a yearling, Entertainer raced four times for Chris Waller for one second, and has now brought up his first win for the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable at his fifth Kranji start.
Runner-up to Vlad Duric on the jockey’s premiership at his first Singapore season last year, Maia has already given himself every chance of exacting revenge on the Australian with a fourth winner.
It’s French jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin who currently holds the second spot, two winners behind, while Duric is sitting out his second 2021 meeting through a careless riding suspension.
See enjoys comeback win with a Beer
Troy See turned back the clock after scoring aboard Beer Garden (Proisir) to bring up his first winner since returning from a year and a half on the sidelines.
An inspired ride on the $84 outsider at only See’s second Kranji meeting back had the 2018 Singapore champion apprentice jockey returning with a beaming smile at the weigh-in under the driving rain.
“I’ve been working like a cow and eating like a peasant,” said See whose win-meter had stopped at 132 with Dragon High (Arlington) on March 24, 2019.
“The first week, I was blowing and it was frustrating as I couldn’t help the horses run through their natural rhythm. I was out of sync, but I feel a lot better this week.
“From 56 kilograms, I’m glad I was able to make it at 53.5 kilograms today, and I reckon that is not the bottom yet. I think I can still drop to 52.5 kilograms.
“Still, I thought I’d have another quiet day today. I certainly didn’t give Beer Garden much of a chance from that draw (11), but he proved me wrong.”