A switch to more patriotic colours proved an instant success for Klever Man after he bounced back in style to the winner’s enclosure on Sunday.
The dashing son of Dehere was for the first time sporting the gold and green stars jersey of the Socceroos, Australia’s football team which takes part in the upcoming World Cup, in the $100,000 Big Maverick 2007 Stakes, an Open Benchmark 83 race over 1200m.
Australian owner Dean Tonkin, who races the four-year-old in partnership with trainer and fellow countryman Shane Baertschiger, was, however, not on hand to lead in the winner, but the other Aussie half did not fail to make sure he heard the news first as he got on the phone shortly after the win.
Baertschiger said Klever Man was a horse with stacks of ability, but can be his own worse enemy when he races too eagerly.
“At his last start, he lost at the barriers when he drew wide, but he’s been a very consistent horse for us,” said Baertschiger.
“He again pulled hard today, but nobody took him on and he was impressive in the end.
“On pedigree he can run a mile, but his brain tells him he is more of a 1200m horse. On the Short Course and over this kind of trip, he is always going to be there.
“Johnny is riding in great form at the moment and he gave this one another polished ride.”
Powell said the fact he had been able to dictate terms and was left alone upfront went a long way towards the win, Klever Man’s fourth in 16 starts and which has now brought his stakes earnings close to $285,000.
“We were pretty lucky we were able to dictate with no-one disturbing him,” said the Australian heavyweight jockey.
“He still pulled hard. He did not change legs until the 200m mark, which can be worrying at times, but he kicked again and that’s when I knew nobody would beat him now.”
Sichuan Ruler (Danny Beasley) who had followed in his slipstream from the jump, gave the impression he could mount a challenge at the 400m, but once Klever Man got into overdrive, his efforts were to no avail.
Klever Man pulled away to an easy 2 ¼-length win from favourite Desert Fox (Corey Brown) who only got going late, with Bourbon Goldman (David Flores) third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 10.02secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
