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Burridge shows no signs of
letting-up |
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Michael Lee |
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Trainer Steven Burridge continued his fine form with a winning treble on Friday to strengthen up his grip at the top of the trainer’s premiership.
The Australian saddled Eternal Traveller, Esteem Power and Black Ice to three impressive victories, linking up on all counts with Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira.
Burridge said of his middle pin
winner, Esteem Power ($11) that he will now go for a well-earned break
following his half-a-length victory over Ravages (Soo Khoon Beng) in the
$65,000 Graduation race over 1600m in the winning time of 1min 36.09secs. “He’s done a good job as a three-year-old and I think I’ll now give him a bit of a let-up before bringing him back for a possible tilt at the Three-Year-Old Challenge,” said Burridge.
“I think he’s an up-and-coming stayer who should be able to get a mile and a quarter.
“He’s however still quite green. He can wander a fair bit in his races and at trackwork he likes to whip around and take off under you.
“It’s a pity he ran second at his second-last start as it was a bit of a stop-and-start affair which didn’t suit him at all. He was left behind.”
Settled in mid-division with plenty of cover, Esteem Power was taken out wide upon straightening and conjured up a tidy finishing burst to hit the lead at the 200m before holding off a spirited challenge from Ravages on the inside. Joint-favourite Ace Avida (Danny Beasley) had every chance but did not ping as expected to run third 3 ½ lengths away.
Riding on the crest of a wave in the last three weeks (13 winners since February 5), Burridge, who is enjoying by far his most successful streak since his beginning at Kranji in 2005, has now rung up his 19th winner.
“Things are going very well and I hope it stays that way. Horses are happy and winning and we are happy,” he said after Black Ice’s victory.
One person who was also beaming was Moreira as he had brought a lucky charm to the races – his mother-in-law, Mrs Cineide Rangel. “It’s her first time here and it looks like she’s brought me luck!” said Moreira.
“Once I put him (Esteem Power) on the outside, he just quickened very nicely. I think Steven has a potential Cup winner in this horse when he gets older.”
Esteem Power is a three-year-old by Towkay out of the Dolphin
Street mare Dolphin Miss and has now chalked up three wins from five starts for
prizemoney close to $125,000 for the Northwest Racing Stable. |
Copyright
2010 Singapore Turf Club
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Singapore Turf Club Local News |
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Eternal Traveller flies in for
nice win |
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Michael Lee |
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Prepared by current leading trainer Steven Burridge, the Japanese-bred by top Australian sprinter Exceed And Excel was peeled out wide by jockey Joao Moreira at the top of the straight, but started to hang in under pressure.
Moreira pulled his whip through to
his left hand but Eternal Traveller was still a handful. The Brazilian had no
other choice but to shorten his off-side rein to keep his wayward mount on a
straight course, which luckily worked to the huge relief of the punters of
the $11 favourite. Eternal Traveller rallied home with half-a-length to spare from $225 shot Queen’s Avenue (Michael Yap), who had dictated terms at a searing speed from the start, with another smokey, $328 shot Melang Gold (Danny Chee) running on for a surprising third another half-a-length away.
“Just rang (owner) Masa (Otani) who is in Japan to see one of his horses race there,” said Burridge, who has enjoyed a fruitful association with the Japanese boss of the Big Valley Stable.
“He’s still learning what racing is all about but he’s done a good job tonight.
“He was a little stiff the other day, but tonight he was lucky as they went fast. The speed was a big plus as he was able to get a smother at the back and sprint home.
“I was a bit worried with the awkward barrier (10) but Joao rode him very well. I will probably step him up to the mile and hopefully, he can measure up.”
As is his customary style, Moreira thanked Burridge for the ride and gave big wraps on the Japanese-bred.
“He’s a very good horse. He jumped very well and settled very well sitting behind,” said Moreira.
“I did have a hard time keeping him in a straight line, though. He was hanging very badly and that’s when I changed the whip to my left hand.
“But he was still hanging quite badly and I had to pull him out wide. He still won very well and I think he’s got a nice future here.” |
Copyright
2010 Singapore Turf Club
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