Windfall became 2018 American Triple Crown winner Justify’s first progeny to score in Singapore after he opened his account in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m) on Saturday.
Also named the American Horse of the Year that year, Justify currently has two progenies training at Kranji and the Ricardo Le Grange-trained Windfall was the first to hit the ground running since July this year. His stablemate, Boardroom, is another three-year-old who has trialled twice so far.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Rozlan Nazam, Windfall broke swiftly from the widest gate 12 to land himself in front before Toh Guan Treasure (Koh Teck Huat) took over the leader’s seat at the 1000m. $15 favourite Pacific Commander(Bruno Queiroz) was bidding his time among runners in the second half of the 12-horse field.
Windfall came off the heels of Toh Guan Treasure at the bend and Rozlan was seen scrubbing up his mount into the straight. Toh Guan Treasure faded while Lim’s Jinba (A’Isisuhairi Kasim), who was first-up after an unplaced run in the Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1200m) in July, began making up ground.
But Windfall ($85) responded well to win by three parts of a length from Lim’s Jinba. Both Pacific Commander and Super Baby (Shafrizal Saleh) rattled home late to run third and fourth respectively, separated by margins of a nose between them.
The winning time was 1 min 11.8secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
After his first seven runs in Open Maiden races where he was always around the mark, Le Grange’s decision to run the consistent galloper in the Restricted Maiden race has paid off.
“I’m so thrilled because this horse is by Justify and he costed only A$10,000,” said the South African handler, who bought Windfall at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in training Sale.
“People thought I was crazy to buy a Justify at A$10,000, but his conformation was fine and his breeze-up was good. The vet reports were good too.
“I told the owner (Leonardo Javier) I’d put him in a $75,000 Restricted Maiden race today, and he asked if he’s (Windfall) good enough, but there’s nothing wrong with the horse, so I said to give it a try.
“It was also a good ride by Rozlan. He won the race from the start.”
Le Grange also knocked in a treble after Longevity ($25) and Taling Pling ($19) took out the $20,000 Maiden race (1600m) and the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race (1200m) respectively.
Rozlan was glad he proceeded to take a sit in second after checking his “rear-view mirror” in the backstraight, which helped Windfall saved some patrol for the final sprint.
“I ride him in trackwork every morning. Boss said to jump positive and if the pace is too slow, then we try to take control of the pace,” said the Singaporean hoop, whose previous win came aboard Rocketship on 30 September.
“We jumped faster than everyone by a length, so I thought to just slot in.
“When (jockey) TH (Teck Huat) Koh overtook us, I turned behind to look and saw no one rushing, so I was happy to take a sit and follow him behind.
“He (Windfall) was responsive when I gave him a push in the straight, but I was still worried because (trainer) Jason Ong’s horse (Pacific Commander) is the better horse. I’m worried he would come from behind.
“All I want was to get him (Windfall) over the line first. In the end, nobody could challenge us so we won easily.
“He’s a horse that’s not afraid of running in between horses, and he can easily quiet down and relax, so he can get over longer.”
With that first win and four placings in eight starts, Windfall has taken his earnings to over $50,000 for connections.
By Sharon Zhang, STC
