Consistent Class 4 mare Jelly Bean overcame a wide barrier to return to winning ways after almost one year on Friday night.
The Darci Brahma five-year-old has not scored since her second-up maiden victory on August 23, 2015, but has thereafter not disgraced herself either with just one unplaced run in eight starts.
Trainer Shane Baertschiger tipped her out after a fourth place to Royal Ruler in a Class 4 race over 1200m in February, to bring her back three weeks ago in a Class 4 race over 1200m, and it was clear from her eye-catching second to Lim’s Action there was a race for her soon - and that has indeed occurred sooner rather than later.
The outermost alley in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 3 race over 1100m was a legitimate query, but when jockey John Powell was able to tuck her into a one-out one-back position after 200m, unless she is denied a clear run, she would clearly be in the firing line at the business end.
The fighting pair Satellite Boy (Barend Vorster) and Louey Veloce (Derreck David) had no answer when the mare was produced for her run halfway up the straight, though she then had to fend off a late charge from Court Case (Shafiq Rizuan) who missed out by a neck at the post.
Preferred (Antonio da Silva) ran on late to finish third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.93secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Former Sydney one-time winner Absolute Miracle (Danny Beasley), who was backed down to $15 favouritism at his Kranji debut, showed he was certainly not an overrated commodity after he came from the ruck to finish fourth another nose away.
Baertschiger praised Powell for his handling of the Auric Stable-owned mare, especially in the initial 200m where to him, the race was won.
“From that wide gate, JP was five wide at first but he was able to get him in a one-out one-back position shortly after. It was a great piece of riding,” said the Australian handler.
“We know she is a mare who can’t go all the way back, but at the same time, she needs to be quite handy. It was a very good ride from JP.
“She has her fair share of ability in this class and it was good to see her win for Jerry and Lana Sung again.”
Powell, who had to waste hard to make the 54.5k kilos, was glad his strict dieting had been well rewarded.
“I haven’t eaten much since Tuesday, it’s paid off,” said the heavyweight rider.
“She’s no world-beater, but the key to her is to keep her around four to five lengths off the lead.
“We were able to get a nice spot behind the lead and she gave a very nice kick in the home straight.”
Jelly Bean may have raced only 11 times, but her numerous placings and that second win on Friday have seen her account bulge to a handy sum of around $130,000.
