3 minute read

The Shane Baertschiger-trained Red Ocean proved that his recent strong trial was no fluke after he sprang a big upset on the Polytrack in the $85,000 Class 2 race (1100m) on Sunday.

A four-time winner on the turf, Red Ocean – who jumped at the generous quote of $120 - was first-up after he pulled up lame in a Class 3 company over the 1400m on October 22.

While he won barrier trial no.2 on February 28 by seven lengths in a nice time of 1 min 0.47secs, the five-year-old son of Ocean Park had been pigeonholed by most as not only a turf specialist, but also a horse that was best when he leads over the seven furlongs or the mile.

Red Ocean was also beaten over 12 lengths at his only other race on the Polytrack –in a Restricted Maiden company over 1100m on April 24, 2021. While seemingly unwanted by the punters, Baertschiger was surprisingly confident of a good showing from him.

"He (Red Ocean ) trialled like a bomb the other week," said Baertschiger.

"He won by seven (lengths while) hard-held by (jockey) Matty (Matthew Kellady) and would have carried 65kgs in that trial.

"So while Class 2 was a test, (apprentice jockey) Rozlan (Nazam) claims four (kilos), so he would only carry 46kgs which is a huge swing in the weights.

"We always thought that he would go well. It was just a matter of whether he could lead or race on the pace as he (Red Ocean) seemed to prefer it that way."

Red Ocean jumped from barrier six, but with a couple of speedsters like Entertainer (Jamil Sarwi) and Illustrious (Ronnie Stewart) drawn inside him in barriers two and three respectively, things did not go according to plan early.

Entertainer led with Illustrious on his flank and with Sky Eye (Manoel Nunes) also in the early speed battle, Red Ocean was caught four wide and punching the breeze. To Rozlan's credit, he did not panic on Red Ocean and kept his rhythm as they turned for home.

A battle royal ensued. When Illustrious and Entertainer dropped out of contention by the 250m, it was Rozlan eyeballing Nunes in what looked like a race in two with the nine-kilo swing in weights – Sky Eye was carrying 55kgs – likely to be a factor.

Red Ocean eventually got the better of Sky Eye by just under a length with the honest I Am Sacred (A'Isisuhairi Kasim) running on well to finish another short head away in third.

Darc Bounty (Zyrul Nor Azman) finished a further half-a-length back in fourth. The winning time was 1 min 4.52 secs for the 1100m on the all-weather surface.

"He (Rozlan) said to me after the race that he panicked a bit when he was caught four wide early and I told him, 'so was I'," continued the Australian conditioner.

"I told him that might happen as the 1100m was a bit sharp for him (Red Ocean) and he did the right thing to keep him going along in a nice rhythm.

"The pull-in-weights from the trial was huge – that's why we used Rozlan as he was one of the few riders that can claim and ride that light – and I think that was the difference in the end.

"It's great to know that he (Red Ocean) doesn't have to lead to win. Obviously, now he has shown that he can win on the Polytrack, we have plenty of options going forward.

"I'll have a look at the (race) programme on Monday but he won over the mile on the turf, so we may have a look at a similar trip on the Polytrack.

"All his owners (Ma Racing and Hi Vis Stable) had something on him today so the beers will be flowing in Darwin (Australia)."

The young jockey was over the moon winning in a Class 2 race and happy to get the job done for the winning connections.

"I would love to thank the trainer and owners for giving me the opportunity on such a nice horse," said Rozlan, who brought up his fourth career win on Red Ocean to sit on top of the juniors' rank.

"The plan was to jump and run – from the trials and his previous wins he showed that he likes to lead – but a couple of horses stopped me from leading.

"So, I had two options: to pull back and take a sit or to keep going. I chose option two as I thought that with the lightweight, we would be able to finish off the race.

"He had more left in him after the winning post too, so I think he can go over further.

"This is my first time winning in (a) Class 2 (race). It's such a big thrill and I may not be able to sleep tonight!"

Red Ocean's fifth win from 17 starts took his prizemoney to a shade over $210,000 for his connections.