3 minute read
After two key scratchings Faaltless was considered a moral in Sunday's Class 3 (1100m) event with the progressive galloper proceeding to live up to the hype when saluting easily.
Already talked up as one of the day’s best bets, the Faltaat three-year-old saw his odds slashed to a skinny $7 in the wake of the withdrawals of Double Star and Harden Up, with the likes of Hammer Down, Speed Demon or Loyal Friends still specked with some chance of upsetting the applecart.
But with jockey John Powell as the passenger aboard, Faaltless was never in doubt the moment he landed in front from his ace barrier, having the race shot to pieces as early as upon straightening for the judge.
There may have been a couple of beads of sweat among a handful of his bevvy of backers when Speed Demon (Joseph See) and BM Win (Alan Munro) did apply some pressure on his outside in the first half of the race, but Faaltless quickly allayed those slight concerns as soon as Powell slipped an inch of rein in the home straight.
All the Australian jockey, who was gunning for a treble, had to do was give a few niggles while pointing him in the right direction to put the race to bed. To be fair to the chasers, Speed Demon and Hammer Down (Zuriman Zulkifli) who had trucked up behind, buried on the rails, did try to buck the hierarchy in the home straight, but to no avail.
In the twinkling of an eye, Faaltless pulled away from his hapless rivals with such consummate ease that Powell could allow him to coast to the line an easy victor, 2 ½-lengths clear of Hammer Down while Speed Demon weakened out of it, but did well to hold down third place another 2 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.5secs.
Delighted trainer Shane Baertschiger said it was now all systems go towards the upcoming Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge which kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 30 before culminating with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 16.
“He’s improved so much since his first-up run. In two strides he put five lengths on them,” said Baertschiger.
“I’ve had the 3YO series in my sights from a long way out and that’s why I gave him just three runs before spelling him. I had to look after him.
“Thankfully he’s a tough horse and a good doer. There wasn’t much we had to do to get him back to his best after the spell.”
Faaltless won two from two at his first prep before finding one better in the smart Emperor Max at his third run in October. Baertschiger tipped him out after that first defeat, bringing him back only three weeks ago for a first test over turf in a 1200m race, which he duly won from start to finish.
While he enjoyed a relatively soft lead at his comeback race, he was not really given plenty of room this time around, but connections needed not have worried.
“Before the race, we discussed with JP (John Powell) and we thought there would be more speed. I thought Speed Demon would lead and we would take a sit, but we ended up in front,” said Baertschiger.
“He was able to get cheap sectionals in front and he then kicked away. He is now going for the Sprint in three weeks’ time.
“We won’t do much with him. It’s a tough race but we know where we’re at.
“We’ll see how he goes in the first Leg and take it one step at a time, but on his breeding, he will get the mile no problem.”
Powell, who was the fourth different rider to have sat on Faaltless at his four wins (Barend Vorster, A’Isisuhairi Kasim and Danny Beasley were the other three), was chuffed as anything his turn to sit on him had come, and more to the point, yielded a win.
“Funnily it was my first time riding him in a race. I could not do it previously because of the weight, but I’m glad I was able to get on this time and win on him,” said the heavyweight jockey, whose previous two Sunday winners were Raise No Doubt and Rapid Rewards for trainer Leticia Dragon.
“I rode him like he was the best horse, which he was. I didn’t want to take any risk with him.
“I thought BM Win and Speed Demon would lead, but he jumped good and I didn’t want to drag him to get back. I knew he would win easy anyway, so I just let him lead and it was too easy in the end.”
Powell conceded this year’s Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge will not be a walk in the park with the likes of War Affair, Rite Of Spring, Daniel and Goodman in the running, but said Faaltless would not be out of his depth in such hot company.
“War Affair is a very good horse and any horse who chases him will need to have good ability,” said Powell.
“Faaltless will definitely put up a good show over 1200m and I’m sure he’ll be competitive over the longer trips too.”
With that fourth success, Faaltless has now brought his earnings close to the $150,000 mark for the MA Racing Stable.