Trainer Tan Hor Khoon was a relieved man after his leading fancy Awesome (NZ) (Showcasing) took out the $60,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1100m on Sunday.
Tan had little cause for concern in the initial stages when the Showcasing three-year-old began well to sit outside his $12 joint-favourite The Cosmos (NZ) (Darci Brahma) before gradually gaining the ascendancy to take up the running.
But Tan's heart got its first test when Amazealot (NZ) (Keeper) and Deauville (NZ) (Darci Brahma) decided to inject more speed into the race as they came three abreast on Awesome's outside, though Benny Woodworth still looked cool and unfazed by this approach.
Turning for home, Woodworth went full bore ahead as Awesome scooted off to a commanding lead. The Cosmos took a few seconds to come around heels but once he did, he started to gobble up the margin on Awesome.
For a second it looked like Awesome would have to settle for second best, so relentless was The Cosmos' acceleration as the lead dwindled in the twinkling of an eye, but Tan's game little galloper was able to conjure up a stout response to scramble home by head for a two-from-two that certainly brought plenty of comfort to Tan.
"I thought I was in trouble again when the other horse came up. But luckily for us, he fought back," said Tan.
"I think he's that type of horse who gets going again when another horse comes close. That will definitely make up for the disappointment with Special ID.
"But at least we know the reason why he ran such a bad race. I had him checked the next day and we found out he was sore in both front knees and his rear hock as well.
"The vet had his lungs scoped and they were clear, but not the stomach. He had an ulcer there.
"That's racing. He will get a nice rest and we will bring him back when he is okay."
Woodworth said he did not really have any anxious moments even when the two other horses applied pressure midrace.
"He was always on the bit, no worries," said Woodworth.
"Once I let him rip, he quickened away very well. The other horse came up but he kicked again.
"He's a lovely horse and the owners will have a lot of fun with him."
To illustrate the clear superiority of Awesome and his runner-up The Cosmos, third-placed horse Deauville was another six lengths away. With that second win from as many starts, the ATL Stable has already picked up stakes earnings close to the $70,000 mark. -STC
Tan had little cause for concern in the initial stages when the Showcasing three-year-old began well to sit outside his $12 joint-favourite The Cosmos (NZ) (Darci Brahma) before gradually gaining the ascendancy to take up the running.
But Tan's heart got its first test when Amazealot (NZ) (Keeper) and Deauville (NZ) (Darci Brahma) decided to inject more speed into the race as they came three abreast on Awesome's outside, though Benny Woodworth still looked cool and unfazed by this approach.
Turning for home, Woodworth went full bore ahead as Awesome scooted off to a commanding lead. The Cosmos took a few seconds to come around heels but once he did, he started to gobble up the margin on Awesome.
For a second it looked like Awesome would have to settle for second best, so relentless was The Cosmos' acceleration as the lead dwindled in the twinkling of an eye, but Tan's game little galloper was able to conjure up a stout response to scramble home by head for a two-from-two that certainly brought plenty of comfort to Tan.
"I thought I was in trouble again when the other horse came up. But luckily for us, he fought back," said Tan.
"I think he's that type of horse who gets going again when another horse comes close. That will definitely make up for the disappointment with Special ID.
"But at least we know the reason why he ran such a bad race. I had him checked the next day and we found out he was sore in both front knees and his rear hock as well.
"The vet had his lungs scoped and they were clear, but not the stomach. He had an ulcer there.
"That's racing. He will get a nice rest and we will bring him back when he is okay."
Woodworth said he did not really have any anxious moments even when the two other horses applied pressure midrace.
"He was always on the bit, no worries," said Woodworth.
"Once I let him rip, he quickened away very well. The other horse came up but he kicked again.
"He's a lovely horse and the owners will have a lot of fun with him."
To illustrate the clear superiority of Awesome and his runner-up The Cosmos, third-placed horse Deauville was another six lengths away. With that second win from as many starts, the ATL Stable has already picked up stakes earnings close to the $70,000 mark. -STC