There was to be no nasty surprise from Supersonicsurprise when the short-priced favourite easily accounted for his rivals in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on Friday.
Following the Falvelon three-year-old’s last-start third to the smart Rathauglockel in a similar 1000m speed dash six weeks ago, his $8 odds were well within most predictions, especially as the opposition consisted of many newcomers with unexposed form.
Still, wins are not gained on paper, but on the track. Riding a copybook race, jockey Alan Munro took care of that aspect from the word go when Supersonicsurprise jumped on the bunny to go and dictate terms within his own steam.
The tempo was nice and steady with I’m Kool (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) staying in touch in second place, around 1 ½ lengths behind, biding his time before launching his assault.
Rounding the home turn, A’Isisuhairi got busy on his mount, but the soft lead Supersonicsurprise enjoyed in front was always going to make it hard for him and the swoopers. Trainer Brian Dean’s debutant Gentleman (Erasmus Aslam) did, however, look like he could buck the trend when he came with a wet sail on the outside, but the inexperienced son of Excellent Art laid in under pressure and could not quite get on with the job.
I’m Kool boxed on solidly for second another 1 ¼ lengths away, finishing in advance of Gentleman by the same margin. The winning time was 59.88 seconds.
Winning trainer Theo Kieser was delighted with the RX Stable-owned Supersonsicsurprise’s maiden win, without getting too carried away, though.
“He had a good barrier and he was able to lead quite comfortably. That helped a lot in tonight’s breakthrough win,” said the South African handler who was at his first 2015 win.
“He was mentally quite immature and that was why I’ve put the blinkers on him. I may take them off when he goes over further but in the meantime, I’ll keep him to 1000m races.”
Munro agreed that Supersonicsurprise still had some more polishing to go through.
“It was a nice win, but he’s still very green,” said the English jockey who was also opening his account for the new season after finishing third on no less than five occasions at 15 previous rides.
“When we straightened up, he kind of just stopped and started looking around. He will get better with more runs.”
The Kieser-Munro-RX Stable combination did not stop at Supersonicsurprise as they later got back on the scoresheet in the last event of the nine-race programme, the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D race over 1000m with Black Fury ($24).