The vastly-improved Tesoro Privado made it back-to-back wins in the $75,000 Novice race over 1400m on Sunday.
The Argentinian-bred three-year-old by Orpen opened his account at his fourth run when victorious in an Initiation race over 1600m a fortnight ago.
Sunday’s drop back in trip could have been a concern, but the Ricardo Le Grange-trained gelding reproduced the same stinging dash to come away an easy 1 ½-length winner from Lord Of Cloud (Erasmus Aslam) with Refresh (Ng Choon Kiat) third another 2 ½ lengths away.
The winning time was 1min 23.6secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Meaning “private treasure” in Spanish, Tesoro Privado eased back to the rear division in the small nine-horse field as Refresh (Ng Choon Kiat) went pressing forward three wide to ensure a solid clip to the race.
Swinging for home, Refresh was still in command, but was soon collared by Destroyer Eclipse (Craig Grylls), who could not quite go on with the job either.
That was when it became crystal clear which way the race was headed when Tesoro Privado unwound on the outside with a sizzling turn of foot to go and score as he pleased. Lord Of Cloud (Erasmus Aslam) closed in late, but the bird had already flown.
Beating Lord Of Cloud by 1 ½ lengths, Tesoro Privado ($22) brought up his second win in five starts for stakes earnings fast approaching the $100,000 mark for Jeffrey Soh’s Titanium Racing, who has been on a purple patch of form with the likes of Nowyousee and debut winner Magic Wand, who races later in the last race.
Refresh did well to hang on for third place another 2 ½ lengths away.
Favourite Silent Boss (Glen Boss) had every chance at the back on the rails, but with no gap appearing upon straightening, he had to switch across heels in search of daylight and by the time he came out, Tesoro Privado was already out of reach. The Street Boss colt, who just moved from John O’Hara to Theo Kieser, ran fifth.
Soh’s racing manager Dean Russell, who has been a major cog in the wheel for the Titanium Racing Stable, whether it was during the time the horses were with Kieser or now, said Tesoro Privado had really hit his straps.
“He was a little shinsore early in his prep, but he has shaped into a nice horse,” said the former South Korean-based horseman.
“The mile is probably his best trip but he’s done a good job to win today.”
Vorster, who has partnered the Argentinian-bred right through, could not agree more with his fellow South African.
“He’s still very green but he is getting better and better,” he said.
“I was just a bit worried about the pace. I had to come back one position and follow through.
“Once I changed my stick to the left hand, he found two lengths. He is a quality horse and I’m happy for the owner Jeff who puts some money in racing.”
