3 minute read
The wide barrier did not stop the Ricardo Le Grange-trained Strike Gold winning handsomely on debut in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden Division 2 race over 1200m on Saturday.
For good measure, Ace Of Diamonds also finished in second to make it a stable quinella.
From the start, jockey Bernardo Pinheiro – who also won on Outfit ($25) in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1100m three races later - was in no rush from gate 10 as he settled second favourite, Strike Gold ($26) a little worse than midfield, albeit with no cover.
Jockey Vlad Duric was more aggressive early from his wide gate 11 to have $14 favourite September just behind the leading pair of Genrich (Benny Woodworth) and Ace Of Diamonds (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin).
The race changed complexion at the 750m when Pinheiro found the back of Gold Plan (Akmazani Mazuki) to be handy enough on the bend with cover. When things got heated up in front on turning for home, Strike Gold was in the perfect position just behind the leading pack.
With 300m left to go, September had favourite backers on their feet when he hit the lead, but while Genrich quickly put up the white flag, Ace Of Diamonds refused to lie down and Strike Gold loomed ominously with his wide run.
Duric got down to work on September at the 200m, but he was no good thing with Beuzelin lifting Ace Of Diamonds to his inside. It was game over for both the favourite and Ace of Diamonds when Pinheiro and Strike Gold had their measures at the 150m, before racing away in the concluding stages to win by a definitive one-and-a-half lengths.
Ace Of Diamonds, a son of Swiss Ace, was gamed to hold out September by half-a-length, while June (Manoel Nunes) ran an eye-catching fourth late another head away.
The winning time was 1 min 10.38secs for the 1200m on the Short Course. Strike Gold picked up over $40,000 in prizemoney for the Gold Stable after his first win.
Le Grange could not have been happier with how both his horses went.
"They both ran super," said Le Grange, who was on a vacation in Japan.
"Ace Of Diamonds is a lovely horse. I was very impressed with his effort given they went quick early and he toughed it out late. He will be better over longer.
"But the winner (a two-year-old colt by Iffraaj) looked impressive. I had a chat with Bernardo this morning and from the wide gate, we thought it would be best to ride him quiet and give him every chance to let down.
"I would have liked to see him corner better – we can work on that – but he let down nicely when asked and hit the line strongly like we thought he would.
"He (Strike Gold) has done everything right the minute we got him in Singapore and Bernardo gave him a beautiful ride.
"I'm always happy to win one for Eugene and the Yong family. They are long-time supporters of both (ex-Kranji trainer) Patrick's (Shaw) and mine and I'm really pleased."
Strike Gold's win on debut in Singapore in the famous Gold Stable's silks was a story in itself.
"It was a very interesting story on how we got him (Strike Gold)," explained the popular South African conditioner.
"We (Eugene Yong and Ricardo) had a crack on a few horses at the (2022) Inglis (Ready2Race) sale but they went for way too much money. He (Lot 277) was last on our list and I was already at the airport ready to board.
"So when he came up and was passed in, I called the agent and offered what I thought was a good price. He made some calls and accepted the offer when I was walking up the plane.
"I quickly called Eugene to see if he was happy and literally sealed the deal when the doors closed for takeoff. It was one of those 'meant to happen' stories, which happens in horse racing.
"I loved him the first time I saw him (Strike Gold) and again, I'm just so happy that he won on debut for Eugene."
Should all things go well, both Strike Gold and Ace Of Diamonds, who were already nominated for the Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1200m) will line up in the feature race for two-year-olds next Sunday.
