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Just hours after touching down at Changi Airport on Thursday morning, trainer Shane Baertschiger was back at the Singapore Turf Club to cast a watchful eye over First Tothelign, his four-year-old rising star.
The New Zealand-bred gelding is preparing to return to action after spending almost four months on the sidelines and Baertschiger, binoculars hanging around his neck, was keen to monitor his progress closely.
A crowd favourite at Kranji since making his debut earlier in April, First Tothelign - whom Baertschiger paid NZ$160,000 for after he won two breeze-ups in New Zealand last November - had proved a hit after beginning his career here with three consecutive wins.
However, a fourth-placed finish behind winner Holy Empire (Alan Munro) in the Trigger Express 2007 Stakes Progress over 1400m on July 28 was the signal to Baertschiger that his promising galloper was in danger of burning out.
“He needed a spell away,” he said. “But he’s come back well rested and looks fit and strong. I’m very pleased with the way he’s come along and his training so far.”
There was plenty to admire about the flashy grey during Thursday’s barrier trials, his second workout in 10 days with regular jockey John Powell aboard. He looked in impressive shape and posted a winning time of 1min 0.67secs, a comfortable four-and-three-quarter-length ahead of second-placed Iking.
“Even though it wasn’t the strongest field, you expect him to run well, and it was a good trial from him,” said Baertschiger, who plans to saddle the son of popular sire Align in next week’s races.
The Australian conditioner was also particularly pleased with the way First Tothelign, who in just four starts has amassed just a shade over $100,000 in stakes earnings for MA Racing Stable, responded to using blinkers for the first time.
“The blinkers went well for him,” he said. “He had a tendency of losing his concentration and of veering off in his previous races so we’re trying to stop that with the blinkers.”
Baertschiger had caught the red eye flight back from Auckland where he, along with several other Kranji-based trainers, had attended the New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs.
Among the seven horses he bought included his top purchase of NZ$170,000 for another Align colt, an indication perhaps of his high regard for First Tothelign’s potential.
Nevertheless, he was keen to downplay expectations of his eye-catching gelding’s imminent return.
“There aren’t any targets for him,” said Baertschiger. “We’re taking things step by step and I don’t want to be too ambitious for now.”