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Race experience and a recent trial in blinkers paved the way to victory for Super Ahead in the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Ivaldo Santana, Super Ahead led throughout in scoring a half-length victory over Select Gathering (Opie Bosson) with Abastor (Suhaimi Ismail) running on for third, one-and-a-quarter lengths away.
Super Ahead jumped smartly from his inside draw and led comfortably over Select Gathering on settling down and Santana was content to allow the gelding to bowl along in front.
Turning for home Super Ahead held a comfortable lead on the long course but with 400m to run Select Gathering issued a strong challenge.
The pair knuckled down for a fight to the line with Select Gathering looking likely on a couple of occasions that he would overhaul the leader, but Super Ahead continued to dig deep and defied the runner-up.
Trainer Bruce Marsh said Super Ahead needed education and it was a recent barrier trial on April 26 in which he wore blinkers that “switched” the gelding on.
“He just needed some racing and some more education,” said Marsh.
“He was getting to the front and not knowing what to do. We gave him a trial with the blinkers on.
“They switched him on and his work had been good but I just didn't want to put the blinkers on him in a race just yet.
“I want to keep them for another day.”
Super Ahead was having just his third race start on Sunday and Marsh believes there is still more improvement to come.
“I think he can make into a nice horse,” said Marsh. “He's shown improvement with each start so far and I think there is still more improvement to come.
“He was fit and maintained a good gallop on that ground today and he should get a little further as well.”
Super Ahead is a three-year-old Australian-bred gelding by God's Own from the Distant Music mare Sinikka and was an A$52,500 yearling purchase.
The victory also completed a good weekend for owner Koh Chong Choon who also races Speedy Ahead which won on Friday night for Laurie Laxon.