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The instructions to jockey John Powell were very clear: If Changbai Mountain misses the kick, get him rolling again by all means, and that proved to be the winning formula on Friday night.
Winless in 10 previous starts, the I Am Invincible four-year-old can be a little sluggish at the pens, but with frontrunning tactics nearly coming off at his last run if not for Sun Mirage downing him late, trainer Shane Baertschiger was keen for the former Mark Walker-trained galloper to go forward again.
Powell, who did lead on him once, finding one better as well, had Changbai Mountain by the scruff of the neck as they sat and waited for the starter’s orders in barrier No 1.
As correctly feared, Baertschiger’s charge was slow into stride, but Powell would not let him bludge as he vigorously stoked him up to rail through and eventually secure the lead from Major Improvement (Glen Boss) rather easily while the well-tried The Golden Goat (Olivier Placais) settled into the box-seat in third.
The order did not change much until Libeccio (Vlad Duric) joined in at the top of the straight to form a line of three, charging home with what looked like the better momentum, but Powell still had something left up his sleeve.
Changbai Mountain, who was backed down to $16 favouritism, responded to the Australian’s powerful riding when he mustered a strong kick at the 200m. Libeccio was still around but was going up and down on the one spot while The Golden Goat was chipping away at the margin, but not really putting a big indent in.
At the wire, Changbai Mountain came first 1 ¼ lengths clear of The Golden Goat with Libeccio third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 10.28secs for the 1200m trip on the Long Course.
“This horse can jump slowly and Stretch (Baertschiger) told me to be ready for him. If he misses the kick, scrub him up, but he has to lead,” said Powell.
“I rode him that way once and he was beaten a length. He drew one tonight and once I got him going, he was able to travel to the front.
“In the straight, I thought there was nothing left in the tank, but once he changed legs, he kicked again. It was a very good strong win.”
Baertschiger said the Lai Chan Cheong-trained galloper had benefitted from a three-month break, hence the signs of improvement that had already surfaced at his last start.
“He ran in Class 4 last start and he was back to maiden company tonight. He got a soft lead and Johnny rode him a treat,” said Baertschiger.
“That was the first spell he has had since he came to us and it looks like it’s done him a power of good.”
Changbai Mountain did show some potential with two seconds from five starts at his first prep under Walker before being transferred in May 2016 to Baertschiger, for whom he has now finally opened his account at his sixth attempt.