Trainer Shane Baertschiger sees no reason why Paparazzi cannot bounce back to the winner’s enclosure this Sunday.
The much-vaunted son of Snitzel lived up to his sparkling trackwork form when an impressive debut winner for the Kranji-based Australian handler last October.
Twice second at Newcastle when racing as Shaheen for the training partnership of Peter and Paul Snowden, Paparazzi franked the early promise shown by dispatching a bunch of Class 4 gallopers in a 1200m race with ease on October 1.
The next run – also in Class 4 company – could not hold a candle to the maiden run. Caught three wide facing the breeze, Paparazzi had nothing left in the tank when jockey John Powell popped the question in the home straight.
He ran ninth to Queen Roulette, but only less than five lengths astern. Baertschiger was actually unfazed by the run, and saved him for one last 2017 shot on the season’s finale on December 3 – yet another Class 4 event over six furlongs six weeks later.
It proved to be a masterstroke. The debut winning form was back in the building as Paparazzi launched off a smothered run upon straightening, beating all but Southern Spur.
To Baertschiger, the unplaced run at the second outing had already been consigned to the dustbin of oblivion.
“Getting caught wide was not an excuse, it was just the second-up syndrome,” he said. “He bounced back at his next run.
“After that, he was supposed to run in the first week of the new season, but he had some foot issue over Christmas and we had to do some work over that foot.
“It’s all good now, and he will be running in the Novice race over 1200m on Sunday. It’s not a big field, only seven, but he should go well, especially if there is a bit of give in the ground.
“He trialled good last week (second to Master Of Malibu on January 11). He wore blinkers that day and he went well with them.
“He had two starts with blinkers in Australia. I’m putting them on as he’s dropping back in trip.
“I just hope it’s not one of those tactical races for such small fields. The horse is fit and well and it’s all in JP’s (John Powell) hands now.”
Powell would love nothing less than to break his duck with Paparazzi. The jockey was the one who rode him at his last two starts (ninth and second) while Glen Boss was aboard at his debut win.
