Trainer Patrick Shaw landed an early double when Super Kenny returned to the winner’s list in the $65,000 Arenti Novice Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Barend Vorster, Super Kenny raced clear to record a two-and-a-quarter length victory from Alpha Centauri (Shafiq Rizuan) with Bendicion (Alan Munro) a neck away third.
Shaw’s earlier winner came in the opening race when Premier Grade, ridden by Joao Moreira, took out the $35,000 Ninetyfive Emperor Class 5 Stakes over 1200m.
Super Kenny had been winless since scoring a debut victory in July last year and Shaw has worked on getting the gelding to settle in his races.
After beginning well, Vorster was able to drag Super Kenny just behind midfield on a speed that was set by Oriental Pearl (Greg Cheyne) and Potluck (Steven King).
Pressure was applied to the leaders before the turn where Alpha Centauri took over the lead. Vorster was able to get Super Kenny to the outside in the straight where he unleashed a powerful finish to get up and record a good win.
Having previously been an on-pace performer, Shaw has at the geldings past two starts elected to ride him from off the pace.
“It is something we wanted to do for sometime,” said Shaw. “We have been wanting him to settle in his races but he was proving a bit of a handful.
“I put a drop-nose band on him and that seems to have worked and there was nice pace in the race which helped him as well.
“If he keeps doing that and keeps improving at the same time then I’m sure he’ll go through the grades.”
With the upcoming Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge commencing at the end of March with the running of the Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint, Shaw said it was his intention to aim Super Kenny at the series.
“It’s something that we’ve got to have a go at,” said Shaw. “If he can settle and keep improving you just never know.”
Vorster said it was pleasing to see Super Kenny finally put it altogether and come out a winner.
“It was nice for me to see what I’ve always known that he had,” said Vorster.
“At his last two starts he’s been sort of relaxing and running out his races. If he keeps in this type of pattern and keeps improving there might be a nice race in it there for him.
“He’s still a bit green as when he got to the front he wanted to have a good look around but he does have a lot of ability.
Super Kenny is an Australian-bred three-year-old by Host from Mysterious Ransom and has won two of his nine starts to date and with a further three minor placings has more than $100,000 in prizemoney for Tmen Stable.
The Shaw stable also reported that Premier Grade was lucky to survive a torrid trip from Argentina after which he suffered a severe bout of travel sickness.
“We have to thank Dr Koos (Van Den Berg) and Dr Jill (Marquez) and the whole veterinary department at the Singapore Turf Club,” said Shaw’s assistant trainer Ricardo Le Grange.
"He was quite sick when he got here and if it wasn’t for Dr Koos and Dr Jill looking after him in quarantine then I’m sure he wouldn’t have made it.”
A two time winner in Argentina before arriving in Singapore, Premier Grade was winless in 23 starts prior to Sunday’s success.
