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Up-and-coming sprinter Astrostar justified his short odds to win the Beau Brummell 2009 Stakes over 1200m on Polytrack on Friday.
Ridden by regular partner Ivaldo Santana, the Testa Rossa three-year-old, who was aiming for a fourth win after he found one better at his last start, enjoyed a cosy trail in third on the rails, but suddenly found himself a little hemmed in when the gap between the two horses ahead, Beauty Supreme (Alan Munro) and Let’s See Action (Barend Vorster) was not opening up.
Unruffled, Santana kept his cool before switching his mount across heels to the outside of Let’s See Action instead. Once Astrostar found daylight, he immediately hit top gear, lowering his neck to set sail after Let’s See Action, who had in the meantime swept past the tiring Beauty Supreme.
Most thought the race was all parcelled up as Astrostar drew on level terms with Let’s See Action, but the latter proved harder to master than expected. Sensing his horse was dropping the ball, Santana swung a few lashes on his rump to remind him the job was not done yet, and Astrostar held his ground to eventually hit the line with half-a-length to spare.
Beauty Supreme wilted to run third another 1 ½ lengths away, while Seligi (John Powell) who had also sprung into contention upon straightening, was crowded at the 200m before settling for fourth another 2 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.2secs.
“Santana rode a good race on him. My horse looked a little held up in the home straight, but once he got into the clear, he quickened very well,” said Yeoh.
“He was quite unlucky at his last run, but he did a good job tonight. He’s a pretty decent horse.
“I’ll see how he pulls up and I may then set him for the first Leg of the Three-Year-Old series.”
The first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 30, with the finale being the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 16.
Santana was delighted he had been able to make amends on the UNI Stable-owned gelding after falling short by a head to Super Kenny at the last run.
“He was always travelling very well in the box seat. His good draw helped a lot,” said the Brazilian jockey.
“He took a while to find a gap. I had to wait and take him out before he saw daylight.
“It was a very nice win. He’s got a nice future here, but he’s no Stepitup.”
Santana was of course referring to Yeoh’s stable star with whom he has forged a successful partnership, including a clean sweep of the same Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge last year.