Expensive purchase Super Power resumed an impressive winner after putting away the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1400m on raw ability on Friday night.
After two creditable starts as a two-year-old, including a sixth place to Mr Hanks in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship (1400m), the son of Power, who cost NZ$310,000 at the New Zealand Ready To Run Sale for 2YO in 2016, was tipped out and given more time to furnish out by trainer Ricardo Le Grange.
The outcome was a resounding first-up all-the-way four-length win in the decent time of 1min 22.58secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Beginning smartly from his gate No 5, Super Power (Barend Vorster) had to wait for around 200m before he could settle on the rails and assume full command of the race.
Burgundy Prince (John Powell) came up on his girth while favourite Zulu Warrior (Vlad Duric) was tucked away in the box-seat, paired up with Ultimate Killer (Chan Wei Sheng) on his outside.
While Super Power ($28) had those horses in close attendance, he still enjoyed a fairly soft lead, which he immediately widened up once he went full bore ahead upon straightening.
Zulu Warrior was angled out for his move, but was soon left flat-footed even if Super Power looked green as he rolled off the rails halfway up the straight, but it was clear he was never going to get caught as he went on to post an easy victory.
The well-tried Crown Gift (Troy See), who was bidding to give new trainer Young Keah Yong his first win, had to settle for third place another 1 ½ lengths away.
Le Grange said the Number One Stable-owned Super Power still had plenty of scope about him.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement for this horse,” said the South African handler.
“He hasn’t been really tested up and I think that first-up run will bring him on further.
“It wasn’t the strongest of fields, and though he was a bit wobbly in the straight, he did a good job in the end.
“He should turn into a nice horse for the 3YO Challenge next year. Well done to Andre Lim who puts a lot of money in racing.”
The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 30. Super Power’s owner Andre Lim was one of the co-owners of former 3YO series clean sweep winner Super Easy in 2012.
Vorster said his 40th winner was nice and relaxed throughout the race, paving the way towards the big margin at the business end.
“He showed pace early and I took my time before settling him on the rails,” he said.
“He was nice and relaxed and was not overracing at all. It was not the strongest race, but he still had to win it.
“He wandered about at the 100m but that was because he was on his own by himself for the first time and didn’t really know what was going on. He put the race to bed rather comfortably.
“It’s the end of the season already, and it’s nice to be still kicking home a few winners like this one. That will definitely help with Christmas around the corner!”
