3 minute read
Trainer Leslie Khoo will give Super Guru a break following his win in the $75,000 Big Maverick 2008 Handicap over 1600m on Friday night.
The three-year-old son of Ishiguru took his prizemoney past the $200,000 mark when recording his third win from his last four starts and his fifth in a career of 12 outings.
Ridden by champion jockey Joao Moreira, Super Guru scored by a neck over City Lad (Koh Teck Huat) with Samurai Phoenix (Danny Beasley) running on strongly for third, a length-and-a-quarter further back.
Moreira had Super Guru perfectly positioned in fourth place on the fence through the early stages of the race and had to angle away from the inside soon after turning for home.
Switching across heels to come four wide in the straight, Moreira produced Super Guru at the 250m mark where he settled down with City Lad for a thrilling two horse war over the final 150m.
Moreira said Super Guru was only a “small horse” but one with plenty of heart.
“He maybe only a small horse but he's got a big heart,” said Moreira. “He showed that tonight with his determination.
“I was happy with where I was during the race but then I had a bit of trouble getting through.
“When we did get clear he showed a lot of fight and was very strong to the finish.”
Khoo said he didn't burden Moreira with any instructions prior to the race and left it all up to the champion rider.
“It was a beautiful ride,” said Khoo. “I just left it all to Joao to decide what he wanted to do in the race.
“You don't have to tell Joao how to ride in races. He's the leading jockey and always gives them every chance.
“That's the third time he's won on the horse so he knows him very well.”
Khoo said he would give Super Guru a bit of a break now before preparing him for races over a longer trip.
“He won over 1600m tonight and did that pretty well and I think he will like an even longer trip now,” said Khoo.
“He can go and have a bit of a break and then I'll bring him back slowly and look at some races over a longer distance for him.”
A three-year-old by Ishiguru from the Grosvenor mare Georgia, Super Guru cost owners – Joy N Happiness Stable – NZ$90,000 as a two-year-old and his win in the Class 3 race on Friday night took his stake earnings to around $215,000.
The victory of Super Guru brought up a winning double for Khoo who took out the previous race – the $65,000 Lim's Objective 2007 Stakes – with Boss Can I Can, ridden by Mark, which broke his maiden status in the process.
