The Michael Freedman-trained Rite Of Spring gave his Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge aspirations a major boost when he resumed from a three-month-break an impressive winner on Sunday.
Rounding out his 2013 campaign with a third win from only five starts, the China Horse Club-owned gelding was all fired up to pick up where he left off at his comeback race in the $75,000 Progress race over 1200m, with a rematch with arch-rival Daniel, who was also first-up for trainer Laurie Laxon, to whet the appetite of racegoers further.
The showdown did take shape when Rite Of Spring shot past race-leader Listen (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and kicked clear under regular partner Manoel Nunes’s guidance upon straightening, with Daniel (Corey Brown) not leaving him an inch.
The two three-year-olds were all poised for a stirring battle as Daniel gave the impression he could draw on level terms with Rite Of Spring, but the latter never stopped to hold Daniel safely at bay by three parts of a length.
Listen boxed on gamely to run third a gap of 2 ¼ lengths away while the other five runners never really threatened at any stage. The winning time was a smart 1min 9.97secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
Freedman said Rite Of Spring had always shown huge potential, but one which can now be channelled more productively thanks to a better composure – a quality which can allow the trainer to test him beyond sprint races.
“He’s a lovely horse and he’s done a really good job first-up. Obviously, Laurie’s horse was the main danger, but he held him off well,” said Freedman.
“He’s a big horse physically and didn’t need to fill out, but he has certainly learned to settle a lot better. I think I can stretch him to 1400m now.
“This race slots in just nice as it’s three weeks before the first Leg of the 3YO series (Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m). Time will tell if he can go all the way to the mile (3rd Leg, Singapore Guineas).
“If he can run a genuine 1400m, we’ll certainly look at that.”
Nunes agreed with the Australian trainer that the penny had not really dropped until the New Zealand-bred son of Stravinsky learned how to keep the fire in the belly in check.
“This horse has improved so much. Even in his trials, I could feel he was a lot more settled,” said the Brazilian rider.
“Last year, he was a lot more immature. He used to be just a jump-and-run type of horse, but he can relax and settle better now.
“Today, from the great barrier and in such a small field, he was able to travel in a good spot behind the leader. He travelled so much better and was always on the bridle.
“Now that he’s improved his manners, I have no doubt he can go over more ground.”
With that fourth success, Rite Of Spring’s stakes earnings have swollen past the $175,000 mark for his happy Chinese connections, who were well-represented at the winner’s circle on Sunday.
