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Trainer Shane Baertschiger unveiled a newcomer with loads of upsides on Sunday when the well-named Faaltless recorded a smart win in the $65,000 Initiation Division 2 race (1200m) on Polytrack.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
After he improved from fourth to second with the addition of blinkers at his second Kranji barrier trial, the son of Faltaat confirmed he raced better in that gear when he blasted his nine rivals to score a 2 ¾-length win from Hypernova (Zuriman Zulkifli) with Rocket Panda (Jose Verenzuela) third another six lengths away. The winning time was 1min 11.61secs.
Rocket Panda, who was also at his first race, began the best but had to be bustled up by his rider before he finally found the rails to show the way. He was then followed by the short-priced favourite Irish-bred Tiger Stripes (Joao Moreira) who was making his Singapore debut after failing to get a start in Dubai for trainer Steven Burridge at the beginning of the year, while Faaltless was locked away in third on the rails with Hypernova not far behind.
Swinging for home, Rocket Panda tried to pinch the race by clicking up another gear, but the better-finishing Faaltless and Hypernova steadily pulled ground off him inside the final 200m, with Faaltless eventually breaking away for a commanding win despite showing slight signs of greenness under pressure.
Baertschiger said the new buy from one of his emerging owners, the MA Racing Stable (First Tothelign and One Smart Cat), will probably get better over more ground.
“On pedigree, he should get a mile. We were expecting a forward showing today, especially after he won his second trial with the blinkers on,” said the Australian conditioner.
“He was bought at the Ready To Run Sales and cost A$160,000. So it’s good to get that first win early.
“He was shinsore when he first came to us and that’s why we gave him a spell, but he has come good since.
“Barend gave him a great run in the box-seat, and in the home straight, he just lengthened up very well.”
The South African lightweight jockey, who is often given the call-up by Baertschiger whenever he has a lowly-handicapped horse, predicted a bright future for the debut winner.
“We had a clear run throughout. When I saw Joao (Moreira) was under pressure (aboard favourite Tiger Stripes) to keep up, I just let my horse do his things,” said Vorster.
“It was just a matter of waiting for the gap to open at the top of the straight, and once I asked the question, he quickened very well. He did duck back towards the inside, but he kept on well to win a nice race.”