Australian import Battle Of Troy has not taken long to show his wares on local soil when he franked his solid debut third with a slashing win in Sunday’s last race, the $60,000 Panasonic Technology Stakes, a Class 4 race over 1400m.
The strapping bay by Flying Spur served notice of his potential at his first Kranji outing when he had to weave a needle through the pack coming from the rear to finish only 1 ½ lengths off the winner Mr Whitaker.
As opposed to that get-back pattern, Battle Of Troy found himself in front this time and with replacement rider Danny Beasley allowing his mount to amble at a steady pace throughout the seven-furlong trip, it became increasingly evident the backmarkers would have their work cut out at the business end.
Splice, with jockey Michael Rodd looking for a riding hat-trick after his Kranji Mile triumph aboard Debt Collector followed straight after by D'Buffalo Man, momentarily gave the impression he could upstage the $12 favourite halfway up the straight, but under Beasley’s urgings, Battle Of Troy ensured there was an unassailable space between him and his bold challenger.
The former Team Hawkes-trained one-time winner (at Geelong over 1400m) posted a comfortable 2 ¼-length win from Splice with En Civil (Manoel Nunes) third another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 22.24secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Koh said it was not in the script to dictate but with no-one else showing any interest to lead, his charge, whom he part-owns with two Australian partners, rolled forward.
“Nobody seemed keen to lead and he landed in front,” said the Singaporean handler.
“Danny held him well together throughout, but in the straight, he was a bit lost, like waiting for something to come at him.
“Maybe he’s better off chasing another horse, time will tell, but today, he’s shown he’s a pretty versatile sort and such horses make trainers’ jobs easier.”
