The highlight of Sunday’s 11-race programme, the $95,000 Open Benchmark 83 race over 1200m on Polytrack left favourite backers reeling with the shock victory of $105 outsider Let’s See Action, but not winning trainer Patrick Shaw who did not look the least bit stunned at the winner’s circle.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The South African handler, who also saddled up the better-fancied Greenstone in the race, said Let's See Action went in with a good chance of redeeming himself from his luckless last-start fourth, especially after he ran third to the same Greenstone in a barrier trial last week (August 7).
With his allotted 51.5kg, the Flying Spur five-year-old was handed to lightweight jockey Saifudin Ismail, a booking seldom seen in the Shaw camp, but the Malaysian, who a month ago, turned another rare ride from champion trainer Laurie Laxon into a win (Makkura), did not let the opportunity go begging.
Though he was caught three deep facing the breeze from the start, Let’s See Action eventually slotted into a gun spot when Saifudin nudged him forward to third outside the speed set by favourite One Smart Cat (Joao Moreira) who was closely followed by Savannah Dancer (Manoel Nunes).
The other more favoured runners in the market such as last-start winners Philanthropist (Benny Woodworth) and Boundless Glory (Alan Munro) were, as is their normal racing pattern, a little outpaced, but still very much in contention.
Swinging for home, One Smart Cat tried to raise another gallop, but it soon became evident his early efforts to find the fence would soon tell on him. Moreira was seen desperately trying to spark some renewed life into the Shane Baertschiger-trained galloper, but though he tried his heart out, Let’s See Action swept past him with relative ease to make a beeline for the winning post.
Boundless Glory came from the ruck with a strong bid at the 200m, but fell short by half-a-length when Let's See Action pinned his ears back and kept working home like a winner. One Smart Cat stayed on for third another length away while Philanthropist never put in a blow to finish seventh, five lengths astern from the winner. The winning time was 1min 11.07secs.
Let’s See Action was registering his fifth win for the EMMA Stable, his third on Polytrack, from 26 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $350,000.
“It wasn’t a great shock to see him win today. He was very unlucky at his last run and being back on the Polytrack today was a big factor,” said Shaw.
“His good trial last week told me he was fit and well. He’s a genuine horse and I was confident he would put in a good run today.
“Saifudin has ridden a few winners for us in the past and I was only too happy to book him for the ride. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him and he rode this horse to perfection.”
Saifudin said Let’s See Action had the race at his mercy at the 300m when he went for broke, but he thought he was in trouble when he could not quite boot clear and changed legs.
“He jumped very well and sat behind the leader. He travelled well till the 600m when I decided to make my move, and I have to say he sprinted very well,” said the underrated jockey.
“He got a bit lost when he hit the front and changed his legs, but when the horse (Boundless Glory) on the outside came, he went again.
“I’m pretty happy to have won a race for Patrick. I can’t recall the last time I rode for him, but it’s good some of the big stables remember me from time to time.
“I rode a winner for Laurie last time, and now for Patrick. Hopefully, the other big stables put me on when they have some good lightweight chances.”
Despite Greenstone’s fifth place, more than three lengths behind his stablemate, Shaw had no reason to be unhappy with the run.
“I’m trying to pull him back – teach him to settle better in his races,” said Shaw. “I thought he did it well and ran a good race.”
Shaw is currently riding the crest of a wave, as Let's See Action's win came off the back of wins in the last two feature races on offer, the Group 3 Woodlands Handicap and the Group 3 Causeway Classic Stakes with Davide and Cannon Hill respectively.
"We're having a very good run at the moment. We'll take it as it comes and hope it carries on," he said.
