Model of consistency Amazealot showcased all his battling qualities in Friday's $60,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m to upstage hot favourite Red Dawn by a head following a stirring duel down the home straight.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Mohd Firdaus, the Keeper five-year-old had to do it the hard way from his outside gate, jumping right onto the bridle to match motors with Red Dawn (John Powell) before raising the ante at the top of the straight.
While many thought Red Dawn was waiting for that moment to shake him off, the scenario took a different turn when Amazealot daringly swept past to hit the front. Pushing his horse right out, Firdaus went for broke and rode with renewed vigour when Red Dawn would not give up on his inside and started to claw his way back into the race.
Both Firdaus and Powell threw everything into the battle, but the favourite backers were left reeling when Amazealot proved an obstinate adversary, hanging on to win by a head.
Such was the clear superiority of the first two past the winning post that the third-placed runner, Angry Cat (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) finished just under four lengths astern. The winning time was 1min 11.7secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Raced by the Tivic Stable, Amazealot was at his third success from nine starts for stakes earnings that have just tipped over the $100,000 mark.
Yeoh said Amazealot was a gutsy customer, but also paid tribute to the veterinarian team at the Singapore Turf Club for their outstanding work on the New Zealand-bred gelding.
“He’s a nice horse but has had a few problems with his throat. I’d like to thank the vets for the operation they did, they actually had to cut his vocal cords,” said Yeoh.
“Red Dawn was the horse to beat and the plan was to run close to him. Whether we could beat him was another story but the kid rode him well, and it’s paid off.”
Firdaus, who was at his second winning ride aboard Amazealot, was punching the air in delight upon returning to the winner’s enclosure.
“The plan was to jump well and try and lead, but when I saw the No 8 (Red Drawn) was faster, I just dropped off and sat behind the lead instead.
“I made an early move at the top of the straight as I wanted to get the first run and let him chase us. I knew he was coming back in the straight, but I kept using the stick on my horse and he kept on for a very brave win.”
