Jockey Matthew Kellady made his only ride at the Friday meeting count when Hero I Am came from behind to post a brilliant win in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m.
Competition is tough here among jockeys at Kranji, but trainer Shane Baertschiger has been a great supporter of the Malaysian rider, having supplied him all his five winners this year thus far, the previous four being Commodore Lincoln, Creamy Custard, Ladrone and Guilty Pleasures.
“Last Sunday, I also had one win from only one ride (Guilty Pleasures),” said Kellady.
“Things are not easy nowadays, so I’m very thankful that the owners still support me. A big thanks to Shane too.”
As for Hero I Am’s run, he mentioned that the intention was not to get the five-year-old son of Hussonet stuck on the inside.
“I was travelling one-off the fence, but I didn’t want to be stuck inside,” said Kellady.
“At the first corner, everyone rolled in, so I angled my horse out.
“His blinkers were back on and it helped. Things worked out well, and it worked out as a perfect reward for me.”
The Middle Kingdom Stable-owned gelding jumped from barrier four, and was travelling one-off, on the outside of $11 favourite Hello Michelle (Shafiq Rizuan). Lim’s Sincere (Danny Beasley) led the pack upfront, with Ocean General (Koh Teck Huat) and Board Walk (Nooresh Juglall) in close attendance.
Having positioned Hero I Am near the back of the bunch, Kellady could see the majority of the runners rolling in, and hence elected for his mount to make his move on the outside.
As the field of 12 turned for home, Hero I Am ($66) came sprinting on the outside. As race-leader Lim's Sincere began to tire by the 200m, others came challenging.
As Waipakihi grabbed the lead under the strong urgings of John Powell; Hello Michelle and Show Far Show Good (Gerald Mosse) came motoring home, but they were all too late when the post came for Hero I Am.
Waipakihi was beaten into second place by three-quarter of a length, Show Far Show Good was third another neck away, with Hello Michelle losing by a neck into fourth.
The winning time was 1min 11.67secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
It has been 348 days since Hero I Am last won a race, which was in a Class 3 race over 1200m on April 3 last year. Baertschiger revealed that the blinkers helped, and that the Polytrack races will be for him from now on.
“The blinkers were back on, the horse travelled well, and Matty rode him well,” said the Australian handler who is currently on 14 winners this season.
“The Polytrack suits him. I will keep him on Polytrack from now on.”
Formerly raced in New Zealand and Australia, Hero I Am has now recorded three wins and three placings in Kranji from 18 starts, amassing over $160,000 in prizemoney for connections.
