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Trainer Shane Baertschiger achieved his 500th win in Singapore after a change to handier tactics for the in-form Shanghai Star paid off in the $50,000 Class 4 race (1600m) on Sunday.
The lanky Australian conditioner, who scored his 498th win with Saint Tropez last Saturday, kick-started his day on a winning note after old stalwart Flak Jacket ($58) motored home under stable jockey Matthew Kellady in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1100m) in the opener.
Baertschiger might not have anticipated that eighth win from the Dane Shadow 12-year-old, but he was quietly confident of Shanghai Star , who had last-start winning partner Benny Woodworth in the reins three races later.
Unlike in his past runs where he was ridden colder, the five-year-old son of Smart Missile found himself up on the pace behind leader Ace Sovereign (Saifudin Ismail) and parked just outside of Deception (Yusoff Fadzli) early this time.
Upon turning, Woodworth upped the ante on the even-money favourite and he duly responded by collaring Ace Sovereign at the 250m. The latter, however, was determined in his run to the finish, so the two locked horns for a brief moment before Shanghai Star put his head in front to score.
Street Cry Success (Wong Chin Chuen) ran on late to finish another one-and-a-half lengths away in third.
The winning time was 1min 35.98secs for the mile on the Short Course.
The Team Work Stable-owned gelding saluted as Baertschiger expected him to, but he joked that it was Woodworth who "felt the weight on his shoulders" knowing that Baertschiger's 500th win was imminent.
"I read that I was two away from my 500th (win) last week, I felt no pressure but after Flak Jacket won, I told Benny, 'the pressure's on you' (laughs)," said Baertschiger, who took over his father and ex-Kranji trainer Don's stable 11 years ago and bagged his first win with Reddy To Rock in March 2012.
"I thought he'd (Shanghai Star) win, but we had to ride him different today because there was no speed and it's on the Short Course 'D'.
"So I told Benny to go forward, otherwise he (Shanghai Star) won't be able to make ground. That's why the win didn't seem as easy.
"I'm very happy, no complaints. Well, it could have been earlier if not for COVID-19! We were racing twice a week back then.
"The most memorable moment in my career would probably still be when I won my first Group 1 win with Aramco in the Lion City Cup (2019)."
The stable was off to a slow start this year but Baertschiger was elated with the double on Sunday that took his season tally to seven wins.
Of his first winner Flak Jacket, Baertschiger revealed that he has made plans for him to be rehomed in Malaysia for he was getting long in the tooth.
"I've got him booked on (the float to Malaysia) in June," he said.
"He was always thereabouts. It's also funny how he has 'R100' as his MRA Brand Number and it's his 100th start in Singapore today.
"Also, he's 12th year old and he broke from barrier 12 in the race!"
Flak Jacket made his debut in June 2014 where he won three-in-a-row early doors before going up in grades, when he once finished fourth in the now discontinued Group 3 Paititi Gold Trophy (1200m) in July 2015.
With eight wins and 29 placings in 100 starts to-date, Flak Jacket has amassed more than $660,000 in prizemoney for the Flak Jacket Stable.
Woodworth, who has now won twice on Shanghai Star, agreed with the tactic change but said he had to push him hard near the finish.
"It was a small field (of seven), so coming from behind would be difficult," said the experienced Malaysian hoop.
"He (Baertschiger) told me to jump and sit in second or third. Everything went to plan.
"It was quite an easy win but this horse likes to chase. He did that with him (Ace Sovereign).
"When he gets his head in front, he 'half gives up', so I had to push him till the end."
Shanghai Star's third win in 14 starts has taken his earnings to over the $110,000 mark for connections.
