Miracle horse Super Kenny produced yet another sterling performance that vindicated trainer Patrick Shaw in his decision to once save his life.
This was when he scored a stellar win in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1100m on Friday night.
The son of Host was on an upward spiral last year until he badly hurt his right hind leg in the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) in March 2013. The superficial digital flexor tendon, suspensory ligaments and tendon sheath had been severed so badly that the Singapore Turf Club’s veterinary surgeon Dr Curry Keoughan recommended he was euthanased.
But trainer Patrick Shaw took a gamble. The experienced South African has the utmost respect for vets, but he somehow had a hunch Super Kenny could be saved, and he was ultimately proven right.
Super Kenny made a victorious comeback on September 29, 2013 and went on to add two more wins at seven subsequent starts before again saluting on Friday night for his sixth career win in only 20 starts.
Filling in for Shaw, who is still recovering from surgery, assistant-trainer Ricardo Le Grange (pictured above) said Super Kenny could have been anything had it not been for that most unfortunate injury.
“He would have been a top-class horse if not for that setback. He was galloped onto and he lacerated his off hind tendon bone and had to go for surgery,” said the South African horseman.
“He could have died, but patience and time had brought him back to the track and it’s great for Mark Yong as he puts a lot of money in racing.”
Normally one of the first to fly off the gates, Super Kenny was this time round ridden more patiently by jockey Barend Vorster, who has now partnered the five-year-old at all his six wins.
Favourite Kiwi Karma (Danny Beasley), who was making her comeback after being one of the leading two-year-olds with stablemate Affleck in the juvenile races earlier in the year, was bustled up early to take up the running from her outermost alley, but Origin Fast (Alan Munro) kicked up on the rails to post her on the outside.
Beasley did not relent and eventually managed to drive Kiwi Karma to the front, but the early exertions at a first run from a four-month break would tell in the end.
The Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe winner looked like she still had plenty up her sleeve when she kicked clear at the 300m, but the danger of a fresher horse popping out of the woodwork could not be ignored yet.
And that danger came in the form of Super Kenny as he emerged from the pack to cast his tall shadow. Laurie Laxon’s game chestnut filly tried to lift again, but she had to abdicate before Super Kenny’s superior turn of foot.
Super Kenny strode clear to win by two lengths from Kiwi Karma with Coronet Peak (Zuriman Zulkifli) third another 2 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.57secs.
Vorster said Super Kenny has been a special horse to him and thoroughly deserved to get another win after coming back from the brink of death.
“He’s been a special horse to me. Considering all the problems he’s had, it’s a miracle to see him race and win tonight,” said the South African jockey.
“Whenever we can get him right, he goes on to prove he has tonnes of ability.
“He’s got good speed but as there was too much speed in the race and he had the topweight, we decided to leave him be and let him do his own things at the back.
“He settled beautifully for me and he finished off very well.”
With that sixth win, Super Kenny has now amassed prizemoney in excess of $320,000 for Yong’s Tmen Stable.
