3 minute read
Eternal bridesmaid Gamely valiantly sprinted past Simba in a two-horse fight to shed his maiden status at his 21st start on Friday night.
Owned by the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable, the four-year-old son of Golden Archer has had 13 placings from 20 starts in Singapore. He finished unplaced in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe back in July last year.
At his last start, the Australian bay gelding was slow away and got caught in traffic in the straight, eventually running sixth to Perfect in an Open Maiden race over 1200m.
This time around in a similar race worth $20,000, his 13th race-partner Alysha Collett took the bull by the horns from the start.
Gamely ($25) jumped cleanly from barrier No 10 and went forward, but with $15-favourite Simba (Noh Senari) even keener on that position, Gamely settled on his outside in second position.
Turning for home, the duo tore away from their opponents. Third at his debut, Simba tried hard to go two better, but Gamely was just as determined to break the duck, responding nicely to Collett's urgings to race away to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win.
Third-placed another three-and-a-quarter lengths away was Rocket Winner (Koh Teck Huat). The winning time was 1min 11.46secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Even though it was his first win after so many vain attempts, the Thai-owned gelding has now racked up more than $150,000 in stakes earnings, which had Logan praising the healthy level of Singapore prizemoney.
"Singapore is such a great place to race in. I have Group winners in New Zealand that haven't won as much as he has," said the New Zealand handler.
"I don't think I have had a maiden in New Zealand that won $150,000.
"He's a horse with a big heart, and he's one of the most genuine horse I have, but I can't take the credit for this one.
"My staff have run the stables for the last two and a half weeks without me. (Assistant trainer) Graeme (Forbes) and the team has done a fantastic job.
"It's all about having good horses, good owners and good staff."
Forbes, who was at the winning stall beside Logan, was relieved to see their 27th winner come out tops under Collett, who was at an early double after landing the spoils on a pick-up ride (to replace the ill Michael Rodd) aboard Little Master in the opener, the $30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1600m.
"He missed the jump and got caught behind horses last start," said Logan's right-hand man.
"Alysha's riding him for the first time, and they had a beautiful run and jumpout this time. He chased the winner all the way.
"He could probably go up to 1400m at a later stage."
