3 minute read

Favourite backers had their hearts in their mouths when Mr Exchequer was taking a month of Sundays to hit the line in the $80,000 Class 3 race (1800m), but under John Powell’s hard riding, the Savabeel four-year-old sprouted wings when it mattered.

Already a bit of a sloppy beginner, Mr Exchequer (John Powell) could not capitalise on his barrier No 2 to take up a handy spot as agreed on at the pre-race discussions.

Instead, the $19 favourite was shuffled back three pairs back as noted frontrunner Marvel Hero (Glen Boss) set a rather pedestrian pace at the head of affairs.

Swinging for home, Sahara Eagle (Vlad Duric) was giving the impression he had finally brought his debut winning form to Kranji at his fourth outing when he collared the weakening Marvel Hero.

Pusaka (Amirul Ismadi) was also chiming in with a big say, while Mr Exchequer looked to be hitting a brickwall on the outside after launching a sustained run at the top of the straight.

For a second, it looked like Sahara Eagle would hang on to his narrow lead, but Mr Exchequer suddenly pinged when all looked lost to get the money by a neck. Pusaka hung on gamely for third spot another half-length away.

The winning time was 1min 49.2secs for the 1800m on the Long Course.

Baertschiger looked a relieved man at the winner’s enclosure, while knowing he still has some work to do on his charge’s barrier manners if he was to head towards loftier goals.

“He nearly cost himself the race when he played up at the gates,” said the Australian handler.

“I thought he was in a bit of trouble when Pusaka went past him and he didn’t look to be improving out there.

“He did that at his last win when he stopped a bit, but then, he ran away from them. He is my Derby horse but he will go for a break now.

“He ran in the Singapore Guineas with the blinkers on last year. He played around a bit then, but he has improved a lot since.”

Powell said he felt the victory was slipping from his grasp after his ordinary getaway, but was glad he brought his A-game when called upon.

“The plan was to box-seat behind Marvel Hero, but I was three pairs back, and further back than I would have liked,” said the Australian rider.

“When they started to take off going around, they flushed out and that was when I was able to get him going. He kept finding to score a good tough win.”

Mr Exchequer has now brought his record to four wins and four placings from 15 starts for stakes earnings inching closer to the $200,000 mark for the MA Racing Stable.