Race experience proved a benefit for Golden Sand Steed when he broke through for his initial win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1000m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Shafiq Rizuan, Golden Sand Steed overcame greenness in the straight before scoring by a head over Just Good (Greg Cheyne) with Mr Know It All (Erasmus Aslam) two lengths away third.
Golden Sand Steed was with the leading division to the hometurn before Shafiq was able to get him into the clear in the straight.
When Shafiq went for the whip Golden Sand Steed started to duck in under pressure with the apprentice then having to stop riding and straighten the three-year-old.
But over the final 100m Golden Sand Steed knuckled down to the task well to get up and score a strong victory.
Trainer Mark Walker said Golden Sand Steed could in future need a set of blinkers to make him race more tractably.
“He’s still a bit green and might in future need a hood,” said Walker. “He’s a colt as well.
“He’s also going to appreciate getting over 1200m and possibly a bit further as he’s had to be ridden a bit handier over the shorter trip.
“He’s also pulled a shoe during the race as well so that makes the win if better.
“He’s by a great sire in Pins who keeps turning out winners and hopefully there will be some more nice wins in store for him.”
Shafiq said Golden Sand Steed will continue to improve with age and over a bit more distance.
“He had some time off after his last start but has come back well,” said Shafiq.
“We got held up there for a while coming around the turn but he ran on really strongly in the straight.
“He’s going to keep improving with some more time and he’ll also like to get over a bit more distance as well.”
Golden Sand Steed was having his fourth career start. After running second at his first two outings he then finished towards the rear in the Group 3 Magic Millions Juvenile Challenge before going for a spell.
A New Zealand-bred colt by Pins from the Last Tycoon mare Ambitious, Golden Sand Steed was a NZ$65,000 yearling purchase and after Sunday’s success has accumulated around $60,000 in prizemoney for ST Resources Stable.
