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Trainer Shane Baertschiger seems to have unearthed a quality sort for a new owner on Sunday when Ami scored a hard-fought win second-up in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1200m.

Franking the form shown at his debut when second to Eagle Storm in a similar Initiation race on January 3, the New Zealand-bred gelding by Falkirk accelerated steadily from his handy spot to defeat a gutsy Bob (Danny Beasley) by one length with Amazealot (Ivaldo Santana) third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 11.43secs.

For those who had thought such a red-hot favourite ($7) would career away once he reached top cruising speed, the win may have looked slightly laboured in the end. But on closer look, it must be noted that jockey John Powell did not really knock him about until the last 200m.

“I knew I had a good horse underneath me compared to the rest of the field,” said the Australian heavyweight jockey.

“That’s why I didn’t want to take off too early. But once I asked him to go, he did the job.

“He’s still a bit immature, but once he learns to settle down, he’ll be able to get further.”

Baertschiger said Ami (French for friend), who is owned by relative newcomer Lim Siang Huat, should have been undefeated.

“He’s unlucky not to have won at his first run. He was slow to begin and he got checked at the 800m,” said the Australian handler.

“He’s taken a lot of improvement from that run. He jumped good today, travelled strong outside the leader (Live Well) and won well.

“He’s still a bit of a hothead in the parade ring, but he was good in the barriers. I’ll give him one more run and then spell him.”

Baertschiger revealed he was a recent recipient of another newcomer from Mr Lim, who also races debut winner Mia with Laurie Laxon.

“I just got a new horse for Mr Lim. He’s by Nom Du Jeu, but he’s not registered yet,” he said.

“It’s good to see new owners like Mr Lim getting early rewards with their horses.”

The Baertschiger name itself came within a whisker of earning a Group 3 reward in Australia on Saturday when Marianne, sporting the familiar Kranji pink and red-hooped colours of his father, ex-Kranji trainer Don and his mother Sally, ran a narrow second to Spirits Dance in the Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.