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Unfancied two-year-old Whistling Win gave underrated jockey John Sundradas a lucky pick-up ride in the second Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series on Sunday.
The Golden Archer colt was meant to be ridden by John Powell in the $90,000 Singapore Silver Horseshoe (1000m), but when the latter had to forego his rides, trainer Leticia Dragon did not have to look high and low for a replacement.
John was the one who actually rode Whistling Win at his barrier trial on April 11 when third to Mokastar, and it made sense to stick to a jockey who has already had a first-hand idea what was under the bonnet.
One of the quickest beginners at barrier rise, the $168 shot could not, however, cross to the plastic when favourite Bringer Of War (Manoel Nunes) kicked up on the rails.
That did not seem to ruffle John the least bit as he just allowed the chestnut to stride along within his own steam, even if on TV, the visible signs of a thick lather of sweat foaming up on his chest might suggest he could be a spent force very soon.
Not quite. Upon straightening up, John gave Whistling Win his full head and while swoopers like Auspicious Day (Alan Munro) and Hun Yeang Road (Azhar Ismail) did give the impression they would outsprint him with no fuss, it wasn’t to be.
Whistling Win actually found another gear as he kicked clear to go and score rather comfortably with two lengths to spare from Auspicious Day with Bringer Of War sticking on for third place another neck away, just denying Hun Yeang Road of third place by a neck.
The winning time was 59.52 seconds for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
John was absolutely rapt with the chance ride, more so when he was proven spot-on in his post-trial evaluation to Dragon.
“Johnny could not make the weight today and even at his barrier trial. Leticia asked me to help then, and I was only too happy to jump on,” said the former Singapore champion apprentice jockey who was at a riding double having saluted aboard Soon Yi earlier.
“After the trial, I told Leticia she had a nice horse even if he was not 100%. When she told me she would give the ride to Johnny, I said I understood, but she did say she would put me on another two-year-old.
“In the end, she had just Whistling Win. But as it turned out, Johnny could not make it. It was a lucky pick-up ride and I took my chance.
“He was always very relaxed even if he could not cross over. When Nunes’ filly (Bringer Of War) came beside us, that kept him going.
“He gave a very nice acceleration in the straight. He’s still learning what racing is all about and he will keep improving with more race experience.”
Dragon, whose only claim to fame with juveniles came five years ago with Rising Empire, a winner of one Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series and the Group 3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m), was not putting Whistling Win in the same league just yet.
“That horse showed a lot of potential from Day 1,” said Dragon.
“He showed he was very forward in his barrier trial. I’ve got a couple more two-year-olds coming around, but he was the one who was the most forward.
“I will now set him for the Group 2 race. I had a good two-year-old in Rising Empire before and I hope this one can make it, too, though it’s too early to tell.”
Raced by Tan Kuay Chan, Whistling Win qualifies for any bonus up for grabs in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series as he was purchased at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Adelaide for A$47,500.
