Debutant Timo got off to a flier when he overcame a tardy getaway to still score an impressive win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m).
Ridden by John Powell, the Shane Baertschiger-trained Timo ($23) jumped awkwardly from his barrier No 2, throwing out the window the original plan to lead.
However, Powell managed to settle the three-year-old in a comfortable position near the rear before shifting his mount five wide at the home turn in search of clear galloping room.
The son of I Am Invincible swiftly powered to the front, and with Powell urging him deftly to the line, the issue was quickly put beyond doubt, hitting the post by two lengths from The Dodger (Alan Munro) while Damon (Shafiq Rizuan) came from the rear to run third another half-a-length away. The winning time was a smart 1min 9.68secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
Baertschiger was pretty confident his new charge had ability from the way he scored his two barrier trials back in Australia, when known as Titanium Dragon.
“I expected him to win tonight. Michael Hickmott, who also got me Solaris Spectrum, is the one who found him for me after he won two trials including one by seven lengths in Adelaide,” said Baertschiger.
“The plan was to lead but he missed the start. So the way he managed to come from the back and win the race was pretty impressive."
Powell said he had to switch to Plan B after Timo bungled his start - drop him back and ride him for luck.
“He fly-jumped and we had to scrap our plans to lead,” said the Australian hoop. “I had to ride him quiet after that but everything went perfect. I pushed him at the 400m and he just took off.
“He’s an up-and-coming horse with loads of potential and a good turn of foot but he seems to be crying out for more ground. I feel that he will have a good future here.”
Baertschiger agreed that Timo would get better over a longer trip, but he was in no hurry to test it out.
“He seems to be asking for more ground but I am not going to increase the distance yet as he’s still a big baby,” said the Australian handler.
“I will probably run him in a 1200m Novice race next and we will see how he goes after a couple more runs before making any decisions.”
