Star galloper Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) did not let his legion of fans down at his much-awaited racing comeback when he flew the last 200m to claim a stylish win in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1000m) on Sunday.
Unseen since his brave second to Gold Rutile in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) last November, the Elusive City six-year-old was facing only five rivals that were largely considered beatable by his standards, but first-up over a trip he has not ventured over since his whopping 9 ¾-length debut win in 2014 is always a cause for not falling into the trap of complacency.
Not to mention a last-minute change of jockey after Michael Rodd, himself a new partner freshly picked for the steering job, was hurt in a barrier trial on Thursday and had to be replaced by Corey Brown, though in this case, getting able hands of that calibre is more of an asset.
That reassurance was even clearer when the experienced hoop eased Spalato back to last as Southern Boss (Wong Chin Chuen) led the race at a decent clip. Plotting a wide path for most of the way, Spalato was kept out of trouble at the back before he rapidly moved into a striking position as he was angled to the outside at the point of turn.
Spalato took a while to unwind, but once he did, he made light of his back-breaking weight of 59.5 kilos as he came swooping down with an electric turn of foot inside the last 200m.
There was still some doubts for the overwhelming $8 favourite when Polytrack champion My Lucky Strike emerged from the pack with a late run as Spalato continued to press on, but laying inwards as he narrowed down the gap My Lucky Strike was vying. But Mark Walker's valiant sprinter could not quite contest Spalato's superiority to settle for second place three parts of a length astern.
Spalato clocked a sizzling time of 57.93 seconds which is only 0.17 second outside Northern Lion's course record established in 2011.
Delighted his stable star had come back a winner, trainer John O'Hara is already looking ahead to the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m), the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint series, as the next target.
"I didn't give any instructions to Corey. I left it all up to him," said O'Hara.
"Corey seldom rides for me and I don't think he's ever ridden a winner for me before, but such top-class riders don't need to be tied down to any instructions.
"He did the right thing by staying at the back and launching him at the right time. My horse took a while to unwind but that was because of his weight.
"The Merlion Trophy is his next target and then we'll see whether he gets an invitation to Dubai."
The Graham Mackie-owned galloper has been nominated for the US$6 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) to be run at Meydan on March 26. The former Singapore Derby winner travelled to Hong Kong in 2014, but did not run to expectations in his lead-up race and the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), beset by a hip issue.
Brown said he was glad he had been selected as Rodd's replacement, albeit sad for his fellow Australian, but at the end of the day, he was just the pilot.
"I was very pleased when John asked me to ride Spalato, though I was sorry for Michael. He also had to forfeit some other good rides that I have also picked up," said Brown.
"Obviously, he's a horse I've often followed and saw his backend quite often. Though he was not competing against the topliners, he had to carry a big weight today.
"What is so remarkable about him is how he can handle a variety of distances. He can run five and 10 (furlongs) no problem.
"He's such a lovely horse and as long as they hold him together, I'm sure he'll be competitive anywhere.
"All credit to John for having brought him back to fitness. I was just the pilot today and I sure enjoyed the ride."
While most pundits, including O'Hara, agreed it was no armchair ride, Brown rubbished any ideas that the gelding was labouring when called upon, putting it down to "laziness" instead.
"He got a bit lazy, I reckon. With the weight he was carrying, he was never going to accelerate that quickly," said Brown.
"I know Alan's horse (My Lucky Strike) was running on and that's why I allowed him to drop on him just to narrow the gap without getting into any trouble."
Mackie, who flew in from New Zealand with his wife Trish Dunell to be on hand for their champion's first-up run, could not have been more rapt with the results. He could only keep fingers crossed the Dubai Racing Club would give them the nod soon.
"I'm very pleased with that run, though sad for Michael as he's been working the horse for a while now," said Mackie.
"But Corey did a good job and I'm very grateful to him. I'm pleased to have him back and we would love to go to Dubai if we're lucky enough to be invited.
"The Merlion Trophy is his next race in the meantime." -STC
Unseen since his brave second to Gold Rutile in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) last November, the Elusive City six-year-old was facing only five rivals that were largely considered beatable by his standards, but first-up over a trip he has not ventured over since his whopping 9 ¾-length debut win in 2014 is always a cause for not falling into the trap of complacency.
Not to mention a last-minute change of jockey after Michael Rodd, himself a new partner freshly picked for the steering job, was hurt in a barrier trial on Thursday and had to be replaced by Corey Brown, though in this case, getting able hands of that calibre is more of an asset.
That reassurance was even clearer when the experienced hoop eased Spalato back to last as Southern Boss (Wong Chin Chuen) led the race at a decent clip. Plotting a wide path for most of the way, Spalato was kept out of trouble at the back before he rapidly moved into a striking position as he was angled to the outside at the point of turn.
Spalato took a while to unwind, but once he did, he made light of his back-breaking weight of 59.5 kilos as he came swooping down with an electric turn of foot inside the last 200m.
There was still some doubts for the overwhelming $8 favourite when Polytrack champion My Lucky Strike emerged from the pack with a late run as Spalato continued to press on, but laying inwards as he narrowed down the gap My Lucky Strike was vying. But Mark Walker's valiant sprinter could not quite contest Spalato's superiority to settle for second place three parts of a length astern.
Spalato clocked a sizzling time of 57.93 seconds which is only 0.17 second outside Northern Lion's course record established in 2011.
Delighted his stable star had come back a winner, trainer John O'Hara is already looking ahead to the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m), the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint series, as the next target.
"I didn't give any instructions to Corey. I left it all up to him," said O'Hara.
"Corey seldom rides for me and I don't think he's ever ridden a winner for me before, but such top-class riders don't need to be tied down to any instructions.
"He did the right thing by staying at the back and launching him at the right time. My horse took a while to unwind but that was because of his weight.
"The Merlion Trophy is his next target and then we'll see whether he gets an invitation to Dubai."
The Graham Mackie-owned galloper has been nominated for the US$6 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) to be run at Meydan on March 26. The former Singapore Derby winner travelled to Hong Kong in 2014, but did not run to expectations in his lead-up race and the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), beset by a hip issue.
Brown said he was glad he had been selected as Rodd's replacement, albeit sad for his fellow Australian, but at the end of the day, he was just the pilot.
"I was very pleased when John asked me to ride Spalato, though I was sorry for Michael. He also had to forfeit some other good rides that I have also picked up," said Brown.
"Obviously, he's a horse I've often followed and saw his backend quite often. Though he was not competing against the topliners, he had to carry a big weight today.
"What is so remarkable about him is how he can handle a variety of distances. He can run five and 10 (furlongs) no problem.
"He's such a lovely horse and as long as they hold him together, I'm sure he'll be competitive anywhere.
"All credit to John for having brought him back to fitness. I was just the pilot today and I sure enjoyed the ride."
While most pundits, including O'Hara, agreed it was no armchair ride, Brown rubbished any ideas that the gelding was labouring when called upon, putting it down to "laziness" instead.
"He got a bit lazy, I reckon. With the weight he was carrying, he was never going to accelerate that quickly," said Brown.
"I know Alan's horse (My Lucky Strike) was running on and that's why I allowed him to drop on him just to narrow the gap without getting into any trouble."
Mackie, who flew in from New Zealand with his wife Trish Dunell to be on hand for their champion's first-up run, could not have been more rapt with the results. He could only keep fingers crossed the Dubai Racing Club would give them the nod soon.
"I'm very pleased with that run, though sad for Michael as he's been working the horse for a while now," said Mackie.
"But Corey did a good job and I'm very grateful to him. I'm pleased to have him back and we would love to go to Dubai if we're lucky enough to be invited.
"The Merlion Trophy is his next race in the meantime." -STC