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Up-and-coming sprinter Ghalib romped away to an easy win in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1100m) on Saturday.
Trainer Steven Burridge was bullish before the race and punters seemed to agree with him by sending out the four-year-old son of I Am Invincible as the $7 hot favourite at his biggest test to-date.
Turned out the tactics could not have gone better; making the one-and-a-half length win an easy watch while Ghalib, for good measure, shaved 0.05secs off the Class record set by Lucky Jinsha two years ago.
After jumping well from barrier one, Ghalib (Manoel Nunes) got the early sit behind the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Lucky Jinsha (Zyrul Nor Azman) as expected while the latter's stablemate, Illustrious (Jerlyn Seow), was also on the pace.
With the trio kicking a length or two clear of other runners upon entering the straight, Nunes, with a lapful of horse under him, had only one decision to make: to decide which route to take.
When Lucky Jinsha moved off the rails at the 400m, Nunes took the run on the rails to quickly put paid to the tiring leader, leading by three lengths on the chasing pack by the 200m.
Sacred Gift (Ryan Curatolo) ran an eye-catching second late while a gallant Renzo (Bruno Queiroz) finished another three-parts-of-a-length away in third.
So Hi Class (Akmazani Mazuki), who was on the quick back-up after winning over 1600m in Class 3 company last Sunday, ran a terrific race over an unsuitable trip to finish another length back in fourth. The winning time was 1 min 3.92secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
While Burridge was not at all surprised by the win, he was relieved that the run came through for Ghalib , who may be stepping up to Group level in the near future.
"We were pocketed by stablemates (Lucky Jinsha and Illustrious), so I was a little worried at the top of the straight," said the Australian conditioner of the horse that has given him his two wins this year.
"Luckily, the leader (Lucky Jinsha) rolled off the fence and gave Manoel a run. Once he (Ghalib) got clear, he showed what a promising horse he is. He did a very good job.
"I'm not sure where we go next but we will have a look at the (Group 2) EW (Barker Trophy) or maybe a Class 2 race.
"He's really thriving and still putting on condition. He's also won over 1400m on turf and as you saw, he went very good on the Polytrack, so we have options and will have a look on Monday."
The EW Barker Trophy is run over seven furlongs and will be held on 21 April.
Nunes, who has now ridden Ghalib six times for five wins, was happy things fell perfectly into place for one of his favourite horses, albeit he thought the Al-Arabiya Stable-owned gelding was better over six furlongs at such competitive levels of racing.
"Everything went how we thought it would today," said the five-time Singapore champion jockey.
"The barrier helped, he jumped well and I got the sit behind Lucky Jinsha as we expected.
"I know Lucky Jinsha well, so I knew there was a big chance he would hang out in the straight and I was happy to be tracking him.
"But Jerlyn's horse (Illustrious) was off the bit at the 400m, so I thought I would come off heels and take that run but when it closed, I went for the fence.
"When I pressed the button, he (Ghalib) responded and with 53kgs, we were always going to be hard to beat.
"We got all the favours but it was still a nice win.
"Steve has done a great job with this horse and I think he has more to offer.
"But from the way he won today, I think he is a sprinter. He won over 1400m in Class 3, but at this level, he may be better suited over 1200m.
"In saying that, he is a young horse and is coming to his best form."
Ghalib's fifth win in nine starts took his prizemoney to just under $200,000 for connections.
