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A bold early move by jockey Danny Beasley was instrumental in seeing Terminator revisiting the winner’s circle almost a year to the day on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The One Cool Cat five-year-old had always been held in high regard following a solid run early in his career that yielded four wins and two seconds from seven starts before his form tapered off. The Shane Baertschiger-trained gelding last saluted in a Progress race over 1200m on August 12, 2012, but has since put together a frustrating losing sequence in eight starts.
His last outing, however, gave Baertschiger reasons to hope for some rekindled form when he ran on for sixth to Davide, who recently brilliantly took out the Group 3 Woodlands Handicap (1200m), to make the formline look strong.
The outermost alley in the 11-horse field of Sunday’s $75,000 Class 3 race over 1200m was probably the only factor Baertschiger would have preferred left out, but the way Terminator circled the field from the 1000m to pinch the race with a commanding break at the top of the straight suggested otherwise.
Beasley explained later that Terminator was relishing the free galloping space on the outside so much that he decided to let down the handbrakes early, keeping his fingers crossed he would not be caught up.
The impromptu plan worked like a charm. As race-leader Lamborghini Flame (Jose Verenzuela) came to the end of his run at the home turn, Terminator ($32) zipped past in the twinkle of an eye to hit the front. Eclair Flyer (Koh Teck Huat) came charging home late and looked like he could settle down for a good go with Terminator inside the concluding stages, but it was too little too late as Terminator crossed the line first with half-a-length to spare.
Royal Style (Danny Chee) made late ground for third another length away while even-money favourite Flying Zero (Manoel Nunes) blew away his chances when he blundered at the start to beat two home. The winning time was 1min 11.83secs.
Baertschiger said he thought Terminator would have to come back for another race when he was trapped in no man’s land for more than half of the journey.
“When I saw his barrier, I have to say I got worried and true enough, I thought he was in a bit of trouble when he was trapped three deep and he was hanging on the bend as well,” said the Australian handler who was at the double having scored with Bigcat Rhapsody three races earlier.
“He was entitled to get tired in the end, but he did a good job to make it all the way. He’s a horse who’s had his niggling issues and it’s good to see him win again.
“I was confident he would run well today, especially after his last run behind Davide, even though he had a chequered run, but he backed up well. Danny gave him a great ride today and his daring move paid off.
“I don’t have any specific plans for him, just take him through his grades and we’ll see how he goes.”
Beasley was also at the double, having scored aboard Ultimate Warrior (ex Tarankali) for trainer John O’Hara in the earlier Class 4 race over 1600m.
“He drew wide but he was able to gradually work his way into the race. They went along at very quick sectionals in front and by the first turn, when he was two off, I decided to just let him roll forward,” said Beasley who had by his side his proud parents visiting from Australia.
“It worked out well in the end and he just kept galloping on. He put in a very strong performance.”
Terminator has now registered five wins and six placings from 16 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $230,000 for the Prosperous Southern Stable.