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He may have been absent but wherever Dr Tan Kai Chah was on Friday night, he surely would have been beaming after his Hippocrates Stable picked up another impressive victory inside a week as Devil’s Cut took out the $95,000 Open Benchmark 97 over 1400m.
Less than a week after masterminding a comeback win for classy galloper Wild Geese in a $75,000 Progress (1200m), it was once again the combination of trainer Steven Burridge and apprentice jockey A’Isisuhairi ‘Harry’ Kasim that paid dividends for the long-time horse owner.
While the connections celebrated another triumph, it was perhaps a little too close for comfort given the narrow margin as a photo-finish was required to determine that Devil’s Cut had barely held off Hot Gold (Ivaldo Santana) by a nose in a winning time of 1min 22.06secs.
Completing the podium positions was Gold Rutile (Alan Munro) who was a-length-and-a-half further adrift.
Despite some anxious moments waiting for the judges’ decision, Burridge was a picture of calm as he reflected on the result.
“The horse has done a good job and it’s a nice win,” said the Australian handler, who also brought a smile to his other owners the Good As Good Stable when he prepared a winner with Thrust in a Class 5, Div 1 race earlier in the evening.
“Dr Tan has been a great owner and has given us a lot of support and I’m glad to repay him with last week’s win with Wild Geese and this week with Devil’s Cut.”
The five-year-old Australian-bred gelding might have won even earlier this year but ran out of gas in a half-length loss to Board Walk on New Year’s Day.
“He overraced the last time out,” said Burridge.
There was no fear of that happening this time out as Devil’s Cut jumped smartly from the innermost barrier and was kept in a handy position by A’Isisuhairi as stablemate Benji’s Empire (Koh Teck Huat) jumped to the head of the queue and led the way.
“He travelled very nicely today,” said the reigning champion apprentice. “I didn’t want to lead and just settled him behind his stablemate who was setting a nice pace for us.”
Having conserved his energy until the home straight, Devil’s Cut was able to shift gears without fear of going flat even as Hot Gold began issuing a challenge and threatened to sneak in front.
“The last 500m, I knew my horse was going to run well and he had plenty in reserve,” said A’Isisuhairi. “He’s an honest horse and I probably didn’t need to whip him right at the end but I’m glad I did as it managed to get him across the line.
“It was a tough win but he did his job.”
The son of Exceed And Excel out of Adorara has now recorded four wins from nine career starts and has accumulated almost $200,000 in stakes earnings.