A drop back in distance and class helped the Theo Kieser-trained Racer King claim his maiden win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on Friday night.
The three-year-old gelding by Pins ran six times previously, in which he recorded four placings (all on Polytrack) and was beaten by some handy sorts such as Titanium, Golden Tomahawk, Twodollarmuppet and Exceed Express. His last two outings were on turf over which he did not show as much form as compared to the alternative surface.
The $7 hot favourite Invincible Man (Nooresh Juglall) was quick to lead once out of the gates, with Sun Dayton (Mohd Zaki) one-off on his outside, while Racer King (Mark Ewe) has hanging around in third spot on the rails.
Once the field of eight straightened up for the judge, Sun Dayton was first to drop out of contention, and while Invincible Man kept pressing on to stay in front, Racer King ($24) was fast closing in under the urgings of Ewe, but could not quite squeeze through the gap between Invincible Man and the rails.
At the 200m, as soon as Invincible Man rolled off, however, Ewe pushed the button and his mount immediately raced away to a one-and-a-half length win from Invincible Man, while Dragon Fury (Danny Beasley) came from behind to run third another two lengths away.
The winning time on the Polytrack was 59.23secs.
Kieser was on hand to welcome Racer King at the winner’s stall, and was quick to praise the gelding’s hard-earned win. He said the switch back to Polytrack, drop in distance and a weaker field did contribute to the win, but he would now see how much the handicappers would put his horse up the ratings’ ladder before deciding on his next race.
“He didn’t show much on the 1400m last time, but he did show good form on the Polytrack previously, so I guess it's paid off this time,” said the beaming trainer who was at his 21st win this season.
“Indeed, he was racing against weaker opposition this time round, and that was to his advantage. He ran a good time (59.23secs), which is good.
“I will see how much the handicappers give him before deciding on his next race.”
Ewe, who was at his first partnership with Racer King, also agreed that the field was not as strong, but he did, however, point out that the Leslie Khoo-trained Invincible Man was hanging in, which could have caused his horse to check, and possibly cost him the win.
“The opposition was not very strong. The horse on the outside (Invincible Man) was hanging in, and so I had to shout to warn the jockey,” said Ewe.
At his first win from seven starts, Racer King has already racked up close to $95,000 in prizemoney for the Fatboy Stable.
The celebrations would not stop there for the Kieser-Ewe-Fatboy Stable as the trio went on to pick up a second win three races later with $58 shot Fatkid Wonderer in the $35,000 Maiden race over 1200m.
While Racer King came from behind to land the spoils, Fatkid Wonderer, a three-year-old by My Halo led from start to finish to score from Trinity (Juglall) with Mala Mala (Corey Brown) third another neck away. The winning time for the 1200m on Polytrack was 1min 12.56secs.
