The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Condor turned his good trial form into an easy win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on Saturday.
Unplaced in three starts before Saturday’s assignment, the Australian-bred three-year-old gave connections some hope after he won a barrier trial on 21 September in a good time of one minute flat.
Toh Guan Treasure started as the $14 favourite in an open race while punters kept Condor safe at $38. They would have been more than happy with the each-way price when the son of Encryption pinged the gates from barrier two and jockey Ronnie Stewart settled him beautifully one-back on the rails behind leader Big Max (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin).
Also on the pace, Raweno (Saifudin Ismail) faced the breeze on Big Max’s flank while backers of the favourite looked concerned as Toh Guan Treasure was doing it tough three wide under jockey Koh Teck Huat.
Things took a turn for the worse for Toh Guan Treasure after Condor ambled close to Big Max to take the lead on turning for home, albeit Stewart still sat as quiet as a mouse with 300m to go.
When Stewart pushed the button at the 250m, the race was over in a heartbeat with Condor putting two lengths on his rivals. Flying Success (Rosman Iskandar) kept the winner honest with a good run on the rails in the final 100m, but Condor eventually put his best foot forward with a one-and-a-quarter length victory over Flying Success.
Fire – also trained by Fitzsimmons – ran on very late under jockey Wong Chin Chuen to finish another one-and-a-quarter length in third. The winning time was a slick 58.48secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
Fitzsimmons knew the horse had ability, but he needed things to go his way at the races.
“He was really good today,” said Fitzsimmons.
“While he’s had three runs but did not finish in the placings, he had no luck. Something went wrong in each of those runs.
“So I said to Ronnie today that he had the perfect barrier and if he doesn’t run well, we will geld him on Monday. The ultimate threat!
“It turned his form around and I’m really happy for him.
“He’s owned by a combination of the Gold Stable and Barree Stable and it’s the first horse they have owned together (as the Condor Stable), so it’s great to get a result for them.
“Thanks to Wattle Bloodstock too. They helped me find the horse at the (Inglis Ready2Race) sale (2022).
“I think he’s a pretty smart horse.”
Stewart thought the drop back in trip was a big factor at his first win.
“He’s lovely at trackwork, but once he gets into the trials, he overraces a bit,” said the three–time Singapore Gold Cup winning jockey.
“I told Tim when I rode him back the other day that he needed to draw an alley, but that run was better than it looked.
“He will learn from that and continue to improve into a nice little horse.
“He’s going a bit hard in his races at the moment, so coming back to the 1000m will help him with confidence more than taking a sit.
“The light weight (52.5kgs) was always a plus, but the good draw, back in distance and the fact that the horse is 100% fit helped.
“Good training effort from Tim.”
Condor’s maiden win in four starts took his prizemoney to over $40,000 for the Condor Stable.
By Larry Foley, STC
