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Punters had their hearts in their mouth in the final stages of the $65,000 Initiation Stakes (Div. 1) over 1200m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The $7 favourite Orakei Korako, ridden by Joao Moreira, had looked all set for a comfortable victory after heading the leader and $557 outsider Black Bean (Peter Lao) early in the straight.
After gaining a comfortable margin with 200m to run, Black Bean rallied and with every stride began to cut into Orakei Korako’s lead and even just shy of the winning post looked to get his nose in front.
But Orakei Korako then rallied himself and on the line held a head margin over Black Bean. Silver Fly (Lee Soo Hin) was a further two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third place in a time of 1 min 12.74 secs.
Having his first start, Orakei Korako was purchased out of New Zealand by trainer Laurie Laxon for NZ$110,000 on the recommendation of Phil Cataldo who has been a regular contact for Laxon over his years as one of Singapore’s best ever trainers.
“Phil Cataldo spotted him in New Zealand and suggested he might be a good horse for up here,” said Laxon.
“I got him for $110,000 and have kept him for myself.
“I’ve had a lot of success with Phil over the years and hopefully this horse will be another one that will keep going forward.
“He’s a big strong horse that will continue to improve as it was only his first race start today, although the time was a bit ordinary.
“I think what happened was when he got to the front he thought his work was done and he switched off, but he got there in the end and that’s all that matters.”
Moreira, who landed a race-to-race double having scored aboard Black Unicorn for trainer Mok Zhan Lun in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1000m, said Orakeo Korako has a bright future.
“He raced really well in the field but when he got to the front he just wanted to switch off,” said Moreira.
“I think I got to the front way too soon on him and he’s much better when he can do the chasing.
“He’s got plenty of room for improvement and I think with some more racing he will develop into a nice horse.”
A four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Any Suggestion from Breaker Dawn, Orakei Korako picked-up almost $35,000 in prizemoney for Laxon’s Silver Fern Racing Stables with his debut win on Sunday.