3 minute read
It may have taken a shade over 10 months, but The August finally got the result he deserved at the elite level after he led all the way to win the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1200m on Saturday.
Though he placed twice in a Class 1 race (1100m) and a Kranji Stakes A race (1200m) previously - and came off a very competitive run where he ran fourth behind Mr Malek in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on June 3 - The August had yet to win beyond Class 3 company in 35 starts in Singapore.
While it was frustrating for trainer Jerome Tan and the Raffles Racing Stable, it was hard to fault the seven-year-old's form, so another honest run against some good opposition was definitely on the cards.
With General Command (Manoel Nunes) sent out as the hot $8 favourite in the race, the punters kept The August safe at $50 and jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin made his intentions clear early by leading into the first bend after jumping well from gate five.
Nunes was not about to let anyone out of his sights and had General Command – who was unbeaten in four Polytrack starts in Singapore – on The August's flank on settling, while jockey Daniel Moor made good use of gate one to put Lucky Jinsha ($38) one-back on the rails.
Rocket Star (Bernardo Pinheiro) – who eventually started as second favourite ($32) - was handy enough with cover to have every chance, and when the field turned for home, it was anyone's race with most watching the odds-on favourite in General Command, who was poised and ready to pounce.
But the race did not go to script at the 350m when The August kicked on strongly for Beuzelin and put two lengths on the field, with most other runners off the bit and struggling to keep in touch.
The race was all bar over the shouting at the 200m. Although General Command refused to lie down and kept the winner honest to the wire, it was a definitive two-and-a-quarter-length win in the end, while Rocket Star did his best work late to finish another three-parts-of-a-length back in third.
The winning time was 1 min 10.93secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack and The August's sixth win in 36 starts took his earnings to over $340,000.
Tan was confident of a big run by The August but wary given the lack of winning form going into Saturday's race.
"It was a winnable race at the handicaps," said the Singaporean handler.
"But he needed things to go his way. He went close before in this type of race but either had bad gates or found trouble.
"I was also worried about the Polytrack at this level as I thought that he was better on the turf.
"He went too hard last time (in the Kranji Sprint) and just got beat late, so we wanted a softer run behind the leader today. But Lucky Jinsha – who we thought would lead – was slowly away and we jumped well, so Louis took control.
"It was a smart ride to take advantage like that. He (Beuzelin) gave him a breather out front and when he kicked, I knew he (The August) would be hard to run down.
"Nice horse and nice ride!"
When asked what next for the son of I Am Invincible, Tan was cautious as always.
"One step at a time," was his succinct reply.
Beuzelin - who won earlier on Fabu ($20) in the $20,000 Open Maiden Division 1 race over 1100m - thought a pre-race warm-up was also part of the winning formula.
"In trackwork, I felt that he needed to warm up for him to get more supple – which I did just before the race," said the well-spoken Frenchman to racing presenter Scott Bailey after the race.
"He jumped out extremely well and I found myself there (in front), but the plan wasn't to lead. It was to get a lead on Lucky Jinsha and General Command, but he jumped out so well and they weren't keen to take me on, so I was happy in front.
"I bided my time as I noticed that he had overdone in his previous races and didn't get the trip home. So, I had my way in front - gave him a nice breather - and at the top of the straight, I kicked on clear.
"It was a privilege to ride for Jerome and win for Raffles Racing (Stable) today."
