Topline South African stayer Lizarre opened his Singapore account at his third run when triumphant in the $75,000 Class 3 race over 1700m on Polytrack on Friday.
Ridden by Barend Vorster, the much-hyped Jet Master five-year-old gave a glimpse of his ability by racing away to a 3 ¾-length win over John Of Arch (Alan Munro) with Daad's The Way (Benny Woodworth) third another 1 ¾ lengths away.
Lizarre settled in third from the jump, travelling into the slipstream of Imagery (Danny Beasley) and Raw Courage (V Sivan) who set a solid tempo from the outset. Turning for home, it was soon evident Lizarre would prove hard to beat as he effortlessly cruised to the front before pulling away for an easy win.
Lizarre who finished eighth to Bold Silvano in last year's Vodacom Durban July (2220m) is now right on target for the main mission trainer Patrick Shaw and new owner, the EMMA Stable have earmarked for him – Singapore's premier handicap race, the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on November 13.
Shaw was suitably impressed with the performance given the gelding had fractured his hip just when he was on his way to Dubai to come under the care of leading trainer Mike de Kock.
“We were targeting a few big races for him in Dubai but he cracked his hip and had to stay in England under the care of Jane Chapple-Hyam,” said Shaw.
“He was box-rested for six months and Jane did a great job to bring him back to health.
“With two runs under his belt, he was spot-on for his first win here tonight. He is still green as he has only had a few runs.
“But he can only improve further from now on and the Gold Cup is right on target for him. He is definitely looking for 2000m and more now.”
Lizarre's win enables Shaw to join trainer Laurie Laxon at the top of the Singapore trainer's championship on 46 wins.
Vorster said though the win looked facile, he had to get busy from a long way out.
“He's still a baby and learning what racing is all about,” said the South African jockey. “I think what cost him the race at his last start was he dropped the bit and lost his focus.
“He again kept dropping the bit tonight and I had to ride him hard to teach him to pick up the bit.
“Luckily they went at a good gallop in front and that suited him. In the home straight, I just kept his mind on the job and he won very well.
“What I really like about him is his running action, how he covers the ground so well.
“The Gold Cup is still his main mission and hopefully he won't be too punished at the handicap.”
