Switchblade has the cutting edge again

Michael Lee
Friday, March 20, 2009

Trainer Steven Burridge is starting to have lofty designs for the well-bred Switchblade after he scored his second win in a row in a nail-biting finish on Friday.

Dropping back to the rear as he normally races, the four-year-old son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus out the Cox Plate-winning Danehill mare Dane Ripper, had to bring his A-game to get the better of Polytrack specialist Ricoco in the dying stages of the $95,000 Kranji Stakes B race (1700m).

El Sordo (Danny Beasley) looked to have pinched the race when he wrested the lead from Ricoco (Robbie Fradd) at the 900m and set sail for the winning post at the top of the straight. But Ricoco showed he was not one to be easily vanquished on his pet surface as he issued a strong challenge to regain the advantage 200m out.

Gotcha - Din Azis and Switchblade nail Ricoco (Robbie Fradd) in the dying
stages of Race 8 on Friday night.

But about four lengths in arrears, Switchblade, who after losing some momentum at the 600m, was gathering steam and gaining stacks of ground on Ricoco. Finding a split between El Sordo and Ricoco, Switchblade stormed in and dived at the post to get up by a neck on the line.

“He’s done a good job again,” said Burridge. “The fast pace suited him but I was a little worried at the 600m when he lost some momentum.

“He was also caught a little behind runners at the home turn but once he found a gap, he ran on very well. It was a nice ride from Din as well.

“On that run, I don’t see why we shouldn’t have a go at the Derby. He’s definitely bred to stay.”

The Group 1 Singapore Derby for four-year-olds only is run over 2000m on July 12.

Din Azis said the fast tempo in the second half of the race played into his hands, but was a little concerned when he was caught in some traffic at the 600m and down the home straight.

“Steven told me to ride him from the back. The pace was just nice for him, but he got into some trouble at the 600m when he tried to find a run,” said Din Azis who was also the winning partner at Switchblade’s first Kranji win on March 6.

“In the straight, when he let down, he was going so well that I had no choice but to switch him to the inside as he is the kind of horse who can’t be stopped when he is in full flight.

“Lucky for me we got to the winning post on time. It’s nice to score for his owners as well.”

The Arexevan Racing Stable comprises a group of Australian expatriates who never fail to show plenty of enthusiasm when one of theirs wins a race. Switchblade and Din Azis certainly received a boisterous reception as the cheerful crew led in their new pride and joy to his second win from seven starts and stakes in excess of $110,000.

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