3 minute read
Punters were left reeling after longshot Angel’s Choice came with a well-timed run to lower the colours of favourite Vulcan in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on Friday.
Not many would have noticed his name on the card, given his unremarkable debut seventh in a similar Restricted Maiden race over 1100m three weeks ago.
And even fewer would have bothered to cast a glance at his sire, Inuvik.
Unless you are a hardcore racing fan, the name would not ring a bell, but Inuvik was actually a horse who once raced in Singapore, albeit only briefly!
The son of Redoute’s Choice ran only four times for trainer Steven Burridge and owner Maple Stars, the outfit raced by the late George Tay, winning one race at his last start on September 3, 2010, before being retired to stud.
Nine years later, his first progeny in Singapore has looped the loop for his old man. From the post-race debrief, it does look like he has the potential to win more races, too.
It certainly showed in the grit and determination displayed to defeat Vulcan ($12) on Friday night.
A barrier trial winner one week before his debut, trainer Shane Baertschiger’s newcomer seemed to have the race shot to pieces when he raced past leader Yulong Express (Zyrul Nor Azman) at the top of the straight.
As the son of Per Incanto opened up by two lengths, his jockey John Powell was also well on his way towards a perfect score aboard the two top picks in the first two events, having already steered $14 favourite JK Formidable home for trainer John O’Hara in the opener, the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1100m.
But leading apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen had other ideas as he launched the Saimee Jumaat-trained Angel'S Choice into a bold bid to peg Vulcan back. Surprisingly, the $152 shot responded with a stinging challenge that not many had seen coming, but which saw him relentlessly cut back the margin on Vulcan before racing past him towards a most stunning half-length win.
Three times second at his last three starts, Gamely (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) looked like he could finally beat the jinx at his 14th start when he drew almost on level terms out wide, but again came up short. The Golden Archer three-year-old peaked on his run to weaken to a distant third, another three lengths away.
The winning time was 1min 11.25secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
With Saimee not on hand to greet his 15th winner, assistant trainer Jasuli Sulaiman could only offer the blinkers as the main factor to the transformation.
At his Kranji debut in a similar Restricted Maiden race over 1100m three weeks ago, Angel’s Choice missed the start and faced an uphill task to make the deficit thereafter.
There was clearly a more competitive demeanour with the headgear fitted to him on Friday night.
“He’s improved a lot with the blinkers on. At his first run, he jumped last and was scrubbed up all the way,” said Jasuli.
“It’s only because the horses in front were tiring that he managed to pass a few of them.
“But tonight, he was a lot more focused, and when CC went for it, he ran on very well. Boss with be happy with the win.”
Wong for one was happy that unexpected win had helped pad up his lead on Amirul Ismadi in the apprentice jockey’s premiership (13 to nine winners).
“He didn’t show much at his first run. He was too inexperienced,” said the two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey who is bidding to reclaim the title he lost to Troy See last year.
“He raced without blinkers then, but the blinkers on tonight woke him up. The instructions were to put him into the race and teach him what racing is all about.
“He jumped very well tonight. When I saw JP’s (Powell) horse (Vulcan) and Gamely on my inside, I know they have strong pace.
“I didn’t want to be caught wide and that’s why I settled him back in behind them. It was an unexpected win but I also think he’s a horse with ability and will improve further.”
