By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
When Red Ocean led all the way for an emphatic two-and-a-half length win in Kranji Stakes C company over the mile on January 15, connections would have been looking at a big 2022 for the relatively lightly-raced four-year-old.
That win – over the handy Special Ops – was Red Ocean’s fourth from just nine career starts; not bad when it took him four runs to break his maiden status.
But in the next six starts, the now five-year old had only managed to add one third placing – in Class 3 company over the mile on June 4 – to his CV and connections must have been scratching their heads on what it takes to see his best at the races.
In his defence, he had led them up and battled on resolutely in some pretty good company of late. With some of that form around serious Group horses in the likes of Circuit Mission, So Hi Class and Tiger Roar, a drop to Class 3 could be just what the doctor ordered.
Can he show his best and win in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1400m on Saturday?
Trainer Shane Baertschiger thinks he can, with the drop in class a big factor.
“This company is definitely what he needs,” said the Australian handler on Tuesday.
“He went from a Kranji Stakes A (race on July 31) and a Class 2 (race on August 28) at his last two starts to a Class 3 (race), which is a big drop and he was only beaten by under three lengths at both those runs.
“We have also given him a freshen up – he trialled really well last Thursday (won trial no. 3 in 59.58 secs) – so he looks ready to go.
“His best win was first-up (in a Class 4 race over 1400m on November 6 last year) when he won easily with (jockey) Dan (Beasley) up, so the short break should have done him a world of good and looks the ideal preparation for him.
“Though he has won over the mile, he got a soft run for (jockey) Matty (Matthew Kellady) that day, so I think 1400m is probably his best trip at this level.”
Baertschiger also thinks the Ocean Park gelding needs to lead to win, which could be a problem on Saturday with Ironchamp, another ‘one-trick-pony’ nominated in the same race.
“We have tried to take a sit and get him to settle in a few of his races but it’s pretty obvious he is best when he leads, so that’s the plan come Saturday,” said the forthright trainer.
“Unfortunately, (trainer) Steve’s (Steven Burridge) horse (Ironchamp) also likes to lead. We gave up the lead to him back in January (Class 3 over 1400m on January 29) and that didn’t work out for us, so it’s ‘all chips in’ this week.
“Matt and Dan are both suspended so (jockey) CC (Wong Chin Cheun) will ride and he knows the horse well enough to give him every chance out front.”
While somewhat hamstrung by his racing pattern and a preference for 1400m, Baertschiger believes Red Ocean has more to offer going forward.
“There aren’t many feature races over 1400m but he would be up to that level as he matures and we worked out what’s best for him,” he said.
“But he trialled so well a 1200m race on the Poly(track) at the top level wouldn’t be beyond him. Worth a crack anyway!”
This comes as good news for the owners – the Ma Racing and Hi Vis Stable – strong supporters of the multiple Group 1 winning trainer.
“The Ma Racing Stable has been with me for 15 years – great owners – and raced Faaltless (who won the 2014 and 2017 Group 3 Garden City Trophy),” Baertschiger explained.
“(Owner) Justin (Coleman) and the Hi Vis Stable boys from Darwin are also good owners and good value too.
“They share a couple of others (including the top-rated horse in the stable – King’s Command) and they make a good owner combination.
“So hopefully, they can get a good result on Saturday.”
