3 minute read

While wide barriers normally spell the death knell in racing, some horses seem to grow an extra leg when they draw the “carpark” (or BKE Expressway in Singapore context), and that seems to be the case for Federer.

At least, that is what trainer Shane Baertschiger would like to believe, though he only has the power of observation from the Swiss Ace three-year-old’s last two runs to back him up.

Allotted gates 12 and 11 then, Federer produced his best performances in seven outings, respectively running second and winning at his last run.

After he pulled the outermost alley in the 11-horse field of the $60,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m, Baertschiger kept fingers crossed his charge would reproduce the same pattern, though he also had to worry about the handier opposition in his path.

Ridden by last-start winning partner John Powell, Federer ($43) jumped smartly from his awkward spot, and was anything but clumsy as he rolled forward to secure the lead.

Moonbeam Dazzler (Mohd Zaki), however, kicked up on his inside to hold him off the rails, but Powell was happy to stay camped in his position, biding his time till the top of the straight where the Australian jockey let rip.

Federer went straight to the lead, and stuck to his task very well. Condo Zandor (Benny Woodworth) loomed up while favourite Just Name It (Craig Newitt) had swept out wide for his run, but neither were really cutting him back, even if their riders were heeling them along wilfully.

The bad gate theory was holding up good until Just Name It suddenly hit top gear as Newitt kept rowing furiously in his distinctive high-knee riding action. But the winning post arrived in time for Federer who held a neck advantage from Just Name It on the line.

Silver Star (Salim Yusoff) ran third another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.08secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.

“I think this horse likes it out wide. This is the third time in a row he’s drawn a wide gate and he’s run good every single time,” said a delighted Baertschiger.

“We thought he was a horse who needed to be ridden back. Five runs back, he ran from the rear to run third and we thought we’d go with that.

“But when he drew wide, I thought heck with it, just go forward and it’s paid off since.

“He won his first race in a Kranji D. He’s still eligible to run in a Class 4 race, and let’s hope he draws wide again!”

Powell is not so sure about the whole barrier conundrum, but said Federer certainly outdid himself to defeat some decent opponents.

“Not sure, maybe he’Il get beat if he draws wide again next time, but honestly, I thought he would struggle tonight as there were some pretty good horses in this race,” said the Australian jockey.

“But he jumped very quickly and put himself in a lovely position. I could hear the other horse (Just Name It) coming and I thought he would get me in the last 100m, but we got there in time.”

Federer has now recorded two wins and two placings from eight runs for prizemoney worth around $70,000 for the GPI & MA Stable.