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Daring catch-me-if-you-can tactics from Elise’s camp proved to be the right formula in upstaging hotpot Elite Incredible on Sunday

3 minute read

In actual fact, from barrier one, there was no real need for a major pow-wow to decide where the natural on-speed sprinter would end up in the running of the $50,000 Captain Obvious 2011 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m.

Elise winning the CAPTAIN OBVIOUS 2011 STAKES CLASS 4
Elise winning the CAPTAIN OBVIOUS 2011 STAKES CLASS 4 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Benny Woodworth, who has partnered the Faltaat six-year-old to two of his previous seven wins, earned in almost identical fashion, did exactly that upon dispatch. A flying second to Top Knight in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) one month ago, Elite Incredible settled around midfield, with jockey Michael Rodd obviously mindful not to concede too much ground.

As half-expected, Elise ($23) did open up to a commanding break upon straightening. The burning question at that point in time was whether Elite Incredible would find enough power in his engine to reel him in.

At the 300m, the answer was no, especially as Cliff Brown's Argentinian colt was running in and out despite Rodd's expert hands, but 100m out, Elise started to shorten up noticeably.

Elite Incredible , on the other hand, continued to let down with a searing turn of speed, but the winning post unfortunately came up too soon for the legion of Elite Performance Stable fans assembled around the front area as they always do.

Elise , the runaway train, had berthed in safely with half-a-length to spare. To illustrate the clear superiority of the first two, Everybody Happy (Chin Chee Seng) finished third another gap of just under four lengths away.

Elise, who clocked 1min 10.03secs for the 1200m on the Long Course, was registering his eighth win from 56 starts for prizemoney that has swollen past the $350,000 mark for his owner, Mr Chua Poh Seng.

"He's a very consistent and tough gelding. It was a massive result today," said Meagher.

"We thought he'd run well until we saw that horse (Elite Incredible) in the run, but Benny's ability got him going.

"Today, I put a crossover noseband on him to help him breathe better, and it seemed to do that. He ran good time.

"He's a horse who if he doesn't get his way, like another horse is next to him, he won't do so well.

"It's good to win another race today as we've had too many seconds."

Woodworth said there was no secret how Elise should be ridden, especially from a low draw. His only concern was whether he would be out of reach when Elite Incredible comes gobbling them up in the straight.

"That's the way to ride him. There is no other way," said Woodworth who was at a riding double after saluting earlier aboard the Mark Walker-trained Sacred Rebel.

"I knew I had to get the Elite horse to chase us. He was getting to us but we held him quite comfortably in the end.

"Well done to Dan for having prepared that horse very well for this race."


Singapore Turf Club

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