3 minute read
Trainer Shane Baertschiger had to wait for a long time before Winterfell was finally declared the winner in the Stewards’ room in Race 2, but in stark contrast, he knew he was home from a long way out in the very next.
From one extreme of having to sit through a lengthy protest hearing defending his case why Winterfell should be promoted to first place – even if in this case, it was a pretty clear-cut that Lim’s Sparkle took Winterfell’s rightful running close home – the Australian handler could have headed down to the winner’s circle the moment Big Man overcame his outermost alley (13) to enjoy a soft lead in the $60,000 Wild Geese 2014 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m.
After bowling along on the bridle for most of the way, Big Man ($53) was off and gone the moment jockey John Powell stepped off the brakes.
The Alamosa four-year-old cleared out for a comprehensive three-length win from Copacabana (Glyn Schofield) with Damon (Zawari Razali) in third place another nose away. The winning time was 1min 9.99secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
Baertschiger said the Sabah-owned gelding is the sort who is hard to run down if he gets his own way in front.
“The moment he crossed over from the wide barrier, I knew he would be dangerous,” said the Australian conditioner.
“JP rated him well and he got the right run through. I think dropping him back to Class 4 and putting the blinkers back on helped him.
“He’s a horse who struggles in Class 3 but goes well in Class 4, especially today on the Short Course, and he gets to dictate.”
Powell, who has now partnered Big Man to four of his five wins, concurred with Baertschiger about his ability to showcase his full potential when nobody hassles him upfront.
“He did not falter at any stage. This win will get his confidence back, when he gets pressure too far from home, he gives it away,” said the Australian jockey who was also aboard Winterfell.
“Today, he had things his way and it’s very hard to run him down when that happens. He accelerated very well for a nice win.”
With that fifth success, Big Man has now taken his stakes earnings past the $180,000 mark for the Sabah Racing Stable.