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Trainer Shane Baertschiger gave stable jockey John Powell a huge wrap after his winning frontrunning ride aboard Klever Man on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Dehere three-year-old, whom Baertschiger owns in partnership with Dean Tonkin, had failed to live up to expectations in the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 31, but a drop back to Class 4 company in a 1400m race on turf (Long Course) coupled with a well-judged ride from Powell proved the right formula.
Punched out to the lead from his barrier No 4, Klever Man dictated his terms to the race with the remaining eight runners taking a back-seat in the initial stages, waiting for the top of the straight to launch their challenges.
But when Powell released the handbrakes upon cornering, it soon became evident the chasers had their jobs cut out as Klever Man showed no signs of letting up to score drawing away by a 3 ¼ lengths from Flying Wild (Ivaldo Santana) with Bingo (Soo Khoon Beng) third another neck away.
Sent out as the joint $14 favourite with Jetset Man, Klever Man ran the 1400m on the Long Course in 1min 23.4secs on a yielding track. Jetset Man momentarily looked like he could justify his short odds when he was angled out wide in the home straight, but he never really threatened to run fifth.
Baertschiger said the rainy weather did dampen his mood, especially as Klever Man did not seem to handle the wet too well at his last two starts.
“He didn’t handle the wet at his last starts and he also lost his shoe at both starts,” said the Australian handler.
“But we had first use of the track (first two races were run on Polytrack). So I guess it wasn’t too bad.
“He was also down in class and Johnny rode him a treat as well. He stacked them up and they just couldn’t catch him in the end.
“I couldn’t have hoped for a better ride from Johnny. He always rates his horses very well from the front.”
Powell said his intention to lead only came to fruition after last-start all-the-way winner Fuku Ichiban (KT Cheng) did not go forward.
“I thought Fuku Ichiban would lead, but he held back and that’s when I decided to roll forward,” said Powell, who has now notched 21 wins for the year.
“I must say I was a bit concerned when the rain came, but things worked out good for him.
“I’ve realised it’s probably better for him to lead than come from behind. I was able to steady up the pace and that allowed him to do his own things and get his act together.
“It’s good to see him bounce back. It was a good tough win today.”
Klever Man has now recorded three wins from six starts for stakes earnings that have just tipped over the $100,000 mark for the DS Racing Stable.
