Like many racegoers who were on hand on October 1, trainer Shane Baertschiger was blown away by impressive debut winner Paparazzi, but still believes he is a horse for next year.
This Friday, he runs the Snitzel four-year-old in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1200m, four weeks after he made short work of a similar lot over the same distance.
Baertschiger has always had a high opinion of the former Sydney-based galloper (then known as Shaheen) prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, regardless of the hefty price of A$2.2 million Sheikh Khalifa paid to buy him as a yearling.
“He is a full brother to Sizzling who won the (2012) Group 1 TJ Smith (1600m). They paid good money for him,” said the Australian conditioner.
“He showed from Day 1 he had ability. He’s by Snitzel and I think he can go up to a mile.
“For now, I am just happy to keep him to 1200m. He has pulled up well after his win and seems to have improved as well.
“He has drawn off the track (13 from 13) but he gets back anyway. It should not be a major concern.”
Ridden by Glen Boss at his debut, Paparazzi eased into a rearward spot before he slingshot off the home turn to take the longest route to the winning post. Wonderful Knight was four lengths ahead at one stage, but Paparazzi nullified that deficit with a blinding run to score going away.
With Paparazzi this time round shouldering two and a half kilos more than his impost of 53.5kgs at his debut win, heavy weight jockey John Powell, who has been trialling him all this while, will get to race-ride him this time.
“I think he should run another good race. If all goes well, he could be my horse for the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge next year,” said Baertschiger.
The in-form trainer, who currently lies in second spot on 54 winners, but with Mark Walker far ahead on an unassailable lead of 25 winners, does have other ammo to keep his momentum on the upswing.
One of them is last-start winner Guilty Pleasures in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1400m on Sunday.
“Guilty Pleasures is also in good form. He won on grass only once, but the 1400m should suit him even better,” he said of the Auric Stable-owned six-year-old by Northern Meteor.
“He has also drawn awkwardly (10), but he is also a horse that comes from behind. Matty (Kellady) gets along well with him (won three of his five races).”
