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Newcomer Super Ray defied all comers to score on debut in the $75,000 Prosperity Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race over 1400m on Wednesday.
Ridden by Glen Boss, the Nadeem three-year-old enjoyed a fairly easy time in the lead, but looked like he would yield under pressure as Acrobat (Ben Thompson) and Sothistheone (Noh Senari) came breathing down his neck in the straight. Favourite Jupiter Dragon (Marc Lerner) was, however, not pinging as expected two lengths astern.
In a last-ditch attempt, Acrobat lunged on the outside but a very combative Super Ray ($33) managed to hang on by a head. Sothistheone ran third another half-length away. The winning time was 1min 23.16secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Winning trainer Leslie Khoo said that Super Ray doesn’t necessarily have to lead, and will showcase his true potential as the distances lengthen up.
“He’s actually better off sitting back,” said the Singaporean handler.
“On his pedigree, he has stamina and I purposely set him for this 1400m race first-up. I was quite surprised he was quick out of the gates to lead.
“Bossy said he was too strong with the blinkers on, that’s why we dropped the blinkers today.
“I bought him after he ran second in a trial in New Zealand. He’s a nice Nadeem, and I recommended him to my loyal owner, the He’s Dawan Stable who used to be the Trend Stable, owners of top horses like Star Prince and He’s Dawan.
“I think this horse has ability and will win again.”
That is a sentiment shared by Boss at the post-race interviews.
“It was a pretty well executed plan between Leslie and myself. I told Leslie to take off the blinkers as he was too keen,” said the Australian jockey.
“He’s possibly a blinkers horse later. With the blinkers, he was rushing even if he trialled really well.
“On his pedigree, the 1400m was the way to go, but it was probably not ideal to lead.
“We trained him to sit and wait with the blinkers, but without them today, he was waiting for another horse in the straight.
“He’s no superstar but he’s the type of horse who can go and win a few races and find his grade.
“They were never going to pass him today, and that is the trait of a nice horse, he has a will to win.”