They say no news is Good News and that has pretty much been the story behind trainer Tan Hor Khoon’s underrated gelding.
Undeniably blessed with qualities, the Charge Forward six-year-old is hard to have at times.
But just when you think he is old news, he has a knack of resurfacing to remind racegoers what he can do when things go his way.
Last year, he was firing on all cylinders in the first half of the season, landing two wins, including the Korea Racing Authority Trophy and was even considered as a leading candidate to fly the Singapore flag at the reciprocal race in Seoul in September, the Keeneland Korea Sprint (1200m) on sand.
But he seemed to hit a bit of a lull, and he did not make it to Korea. There were the occasional flashes of brilliance, but the lack of speed in the race was essentially the main reason for him failing to make his presence felt in a big way in eight subsequent starts.
Just when that elusive win No 10 looked to be for another night given the classy field he was taking on in Friday’s $100,000 Open Benchmark 97 race over 1100m on his pet Polytrack surface (he scored only once on turf), Good News slipped from under the radar yet again to deliver a $99 shock result.
All eyes were on favourite Nova Swiss (Manoel Nunes) who was trying to redeem himself after two consecutive defeats, or Lincoln Road (Vlad Duric) and the resuming Olympic Anthem (Michael Rodd), but it was Good News who put all of them in the shade with his typical finishing burst to defeat Lincoln Road by half-a-length with The General (Barend Vorster) third another neck away.
The winning time was 1min 4.27secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
While many were caught unwares by that unexpected return to winning ways, Tan said he had not written off his chances of an upset on Friday night.
“He needs a fast pace and he got it tonight,” said the media-shy handler who was at his third success for the year.
“Last time, they went quick again and he was starting to come in but he got checked (race won by Cavallo).
“He’s always been a good horse to me, but he just needs things to go his way. People forget him, but I know he can show up now and again.
“I’m now looking at a 1200m race on Polytrack for him in two weeks’ time.”
In the running, Good News (Benny Woodworth) was not as off the pace as he normally does this time around, and when the leader Sebas (Salim Yusoff) duly folded, he was one of the first to pounce.
Nova Swiss had every chance but it was clear from the way Nunes had been pumping away from a long way out that the swagger that saw him win five on the trot was gone. He stayed one-paced to eventually run a disappointing fifth.
Upfront, Lincoln Road was being hailed as the winner but Woodworth had other ideas as he brought his mount with a well-timed run to get the chocolates by half-a-length in a driving finish.
Lincoln Road, who was beaten in second place by the same Good News in the KRA Trophy, again had to settle for the runner-up spot while The General ran third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 4.27secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Woodworth said he went in aboard Good News with an open mind and when the Wong Chee Kuan-owned Polytrack specialist showed better gate speed than usual, he decided to tack on.
“When the gates opened, he jumped out quick and was a lot closer to the frontrunners,” said the Malaysian jockey.
“He’s a funny type of horse. When he’s drawn on the inside, he doesn’t like it so much, but being out in 10 helped him tonight.
“The pace suited him and in the straight, he gave a crucial kick. I’m very happy with this win and I thank Ah Khoon and the owner for supporting me with this horse.”
Trainer Shane Baertschiger was again rueing the fact Lincoln Road found one better in the same horse, but that did not make him lose his sense of humour.
“Got to get rid of this Good News. He beat Lincoln Road last time in that KRA Trophy race, and it was the same thing, Lincoln Road gave him something to chase,” said the Australian trainer
“This Good News is starting to become bad news for Lincoln Road.”
