A Big night at Kranji for Shadai boss

Michael Lee
Friday, January 22, 2010

Singapore Gold Cup-winning owner Masa Otani led in Race 5 winner The Big Gee in lofty company on Friday.

The successful Japanese businessman, who had brought to the races his country’s most famous breeder-owner, Mr Teruya Yoshida of the world-renowned Shadai Farm, said the bloodstock supremo had brought him luck.

“I have been trying to convince him to come to the Singapore races for a while now,” said Otani, whose El Dorado captured back-to-back Gold Cups in 2008 and 2009.

“I’m delighted he came and was able to experience the unique Singapore racing.

“Being able to get him to lead in a winner is extra special too. He brought me luck!”

Vlad Duric guides The Big Gee to a record breaking victory on Friday night.

Mr Yoshida, whose brother Katsumi has successfully raced Ribeiro and Jabal Tarik with Michael Freedman, was certainly not adverse to the idea of trying his luck at Kranji.

“It’s one of the most beautiful racecourses I’ve ever been to,” said Mr Yoshida, who is also vice chairman of the Japan Horse Racing Association.

“I’ve been asking Masa many questions about Singapore racing. It was a great night at the races, and I will seriously consider sending some horses here.”

Founded on the island of Hokkaido in 1955 by Mr Yoshida’s father, Zenya, Shadai Farm is the barn where one of Japan’s most influential stallions has stood – Sunday Silence.

A Friday silence certainly fell on Kranji at the business end of the $95,000 Class 2 scamper over 1000m when The Big Gee (Vlad Duric), the rank outsider at $140 in the small seven-horse field, burst between Mooring (Danny Beasley) and Dr Lemon (Robbie Fradd) to score by a neck from Pacino (Olivier Placais) in the record time of 58.84 seconds.

New Target (Benny Woodworth) who was engaged in a three-way speed battle with Dr Lemon and Lago Bay (John Powell) for most of the way, looked a winner at the 300m as the other two speedsters dropped off.

At that moment The Big Gee looked like he was going nowhere, spotting the lead about four lengths. Even Duric looked like he was unable to extract the best of the giant Strategic seven-year-old, but the complexion suddenly changed when the leading quartet shortened stride and The Big Gee dashed through to emerge a spectacular winner.

Trainer Steven Burridge (left), Big Valley Stable owner Masa Otani (second
from left) and Mr Teruya Yoshida (second from right) celebrate the victory of
The Big Gee.

“He’s been one of our favourites from day 1,” said Julie Burridge, wife of trainer Steven.

“He’s so honest and has got such a kind temperament and today the fast pace played in our hands. He was just smoking his pipe at the back.”

Steven agreed that the fast pace was the decisive factor in his charge’s success, his fourth in 28 starts for the Big Valley Stable, headed by Mr Otani.

“He’s a Poly horse and the fast pace suited him. He’s had a lot of leg problems in the past 12 months and it’s just a joy to see him win again,” said Burridge.

“When we bought him, he was meant to be a wet tracker. As he doesn’t like the firmer ground, the Polytrack was always going to be the best option for him.”

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