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Smart galloper Red Beard confirmed his recent revival with an impressive winning display in the $125,000 Open race over 1400m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
A progressive sort whose form went on the wane after running last in the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) last year, he suddenly regained a new spark for racing since moving to trainer Shane Baertchiger last April.
After running an encouraging first-up fourth to Masthead over a trip (1200m) not made to suit on Singapore Airlines International Cup night on May 19, Red Beard did not take long to frank that rejuvenated form with a win as the $14 favourite in a Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m one month later with jockey Corey Brown up.
Ridden once more by Brown in Sunday’s event, the five-year-old son of Zenno Rob Roy again started as the top elect, but was this time more overwhelmingly backed down to the short odds of $8 in the small six-horse field, and duly lived up to the tag.
Settled outside leader Rapido Star (Manoel Nunes) from the jump, Red Beard stayed camped in that position while the rest of the field was well spaced out, with The Comedian (Alan Munro) a clear last after showing no interest in the early stages of the race.
The field turned more compact as they approached the last bend, with Rapido Star still holding sway, but under the immediate threat of the five challengers. Red Beard drew first blood when he levelled up at the 300m mark, but The Comedian, who had in the meantime tacked back into the running, was also launching a stiff challenge on the outside.
But Red Beard was home and hosed as he never shortened up to fall in by half-a-length from The Comedian with What Now (Barend Vorster), who ran out of galloping room at the 250m, holding down third position another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 21.39secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Baertschiger said he went into the race with a very flexible plan given the small size of the field.
“With the small field, we knew it would be very tactical. I wasn’t sure who would lead, but if nobody was keen, we would have been happy to lead,” said Baertschiger.
“But as it turned out, we were quite happy to sit on the leader Rapido Star. I would have probably preferred to sit a bit more quiet at the back as is his normal pattern, but he was travelling relaxed for Corey.
“He probably hit the front early, but he hit the line good and won a nice race.
“I haven’t picked out any specific race for the future. I’ll just take it as they come, more so when it will be all Polytrack races in August. I’ll probably wait for September to bring him back.”
Brown, who flies to France for six weeks after next Sunday’s Emirates Singapore Derby meeting, said Red Beard had come on since his last win.
“We sat outside the leader who controlled the race very well. But when my horse took it up the straight, he actually won better than the last time.
“He was a lot more relaxed today. From the way he hit the line, he’s looking forward to the mile now.”
Owned by the Auric Stable, Red Beard has now amassed stakes money in excess of $420,000 from his record of eights wins and two placings from 16 runs. Prior to his two wins under Baertschiger, his six previous wins were recorded when he was under the care of trainer Bruce Marsh.
Though many would think The Comedian was a trifle unlucky not to have won as that loss of ground in the initial stages must have proved costly given the final small beaten margin, Munro was finding no excuses, saying the Encosta De Lago six-year-old does have a history of tardy getaways.
“He was slow out of the gates and showed no interest in the early part of the race. That’s what he does anyway, but he ran on very well,” said the British jockey.
