3 minute read

The Shane Baertschiger-Danny Beasley combination is not such a common sight on Singapore racecards these days.

Not too long ago, they did enjoy some success, with El Milagro springing to mind as one of their major hits together, but with Aramco having only 53.5kg on his back in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m on Sunday, they rejoined forces - and to good effect.

Things could have gone pear-shaped at that reunion of sorts, though, when the Australian rider lost his whip at the 300m as the Magic Albert four-year-old was noticeably swooping down on the outside with a dashing run.

With a gaggle of horses still within close range, the loss of the persuader can prove costly in a driving finish, but Beasley just resorted to good old hands-and-heels riding, which in the end proved as effective an aid, especially when a horse is in full flight.

Aramco hit the lead on the outside at the 200m and looked like he would round up the field quite easily after all, but Beasley could ill-afford to ease up on his pushing as Distinctive Darci (Gerald Mosse) came breathing down their necks, but one length separated them in that order in the end.

Super Six (Troy See) ran third another gap of 2 ¾ lengths away with the resuming Cyborg (Barend Vorster) plugging home late for fourth another head away. The winning time was 1min 9.36secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.

Aramco, who was known as Mawahibb when the winner of one 1200m race for Team Hawkes in Sydney, has now recorded all his three wins over the same trip in Singapore, with the other outings producing a third and a fourth.

To Beasley, it is the Australian-bred’s class, especially on the dam side that has seen him stamp his mark in Singapore.

“It’s my first ride on him, but I know he’s well-bred being a half-brother to Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (out of Eye For Fun), and he showed his class today,” said the Australian jockey.

“John Powell could not ride him today at this weight, but he said to me to hide him at the back as he was too forward with him at his last start.

“I rode him during the week and he gave me a good feeling. He had a beautiful run around today, but as I pulled the whip on him at the 300m, he ducked in and as I grabbed my rein, I lost my whip.

“He still ran out to the line very well. I think he’s a horse that will go places here.”

Baertschiger had no hesitation in spruiking Aramco in the same breath as far as his future career path goes.

“He pulled too hard over 1400m at his last start, but still did well to run third,” said the Australian handler.

“Looking at the speedmap today, I knew there would be top speed. Danny lost his whip but rode him hands and heels and the horse responded very well.

“There was no weight on him today, and Danny got the ride as he does ride a fair bit for the owner. We’ve got to keep the owner happy and it’s worked out good.

“The horse is potentially a Class 1 horse. He’s got a good pedigree and he’s won three from five here, so the future looks bright for him.”

Already a handy moneyspinner of over A$100,000 in Australia, Aramco has taken his local stakes earnings a little over the same mark – around $120,000.

Aramco, who in the end started as the $16 favourite, can certainly take that latest win as a significant reference to his future endeavours, as there was no shortage of talent in the race, namely Cyborg, Conflight, Grand Cross, Distinctive Darci, Lightning Fast and Exceed Express.

While Distinctive Darci did his reputation no harm with his gallant second, Cyborg certainly ran an encouraging race first-up from a seven-month break and Grand Cross (Shafiq Rizuan) ran okay as he was also resuming, but the others ran below expectations.

Perhaps the main letdown was Group 3 Dester Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint winner Conflight (Oscar Chavez), even if he was also back from a long spell. After sitting outside leader Exceed Express (Glen Boss) from the break, the Host four-year-old had nothing left in the tank in the straight before beating one home.

Granted, he probably needed the run after not racing since May last year due to knee chips, but trainer Alwin Tan certainly faces a challenge to get him back to his peak if he is to press on towards the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on March 5.