Trainer Theo Kieser was a little concerned when Super Winner came back a “different” horse after his Korean trip, but is glad it has not taken long for his stable star to bounce back to his normal self.
The Kaphero five-year-old did not handle the deep sand at Seoul Racecourse to finish among the also-rans in the Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint (1200m) on September 11. Two other Singapore contenders, Infantry and rder Of The Sun fared no better in the other feature, the Group 1 Keeneland Korea Cup (1800m).
An 11-time winner at Kranji, including 10 on Polytrack, Super Winner did not pull up all that badly from the run, but Kieser could feel the testing run still took something away from the first horse to give him a chance to travel.
The South African handler has given Super Winner all the time in the world to get over such a slog, and two months later, has already pencilled in a race for his Kranji comeback – on the last day of the 2016 racing season.
“Even if he was tired after that run, he still pulled up okay, but I would say he was not as happy as I’d like him to be,” he said.
“He was a different horse, but the moment he came back to his familiar surroundings at Kranji, he was a lot happier.
“I’ve let him slowly come through and he’s gradually come back in good order. He’s been back in work for a while now and has already done fast work.
“He obviously put on a bit of condition during the break but he’s been slimming down a fair bit.
“I will give him a barrier trial on November 22 and that should bring him on nicely for a race I have targeted for him, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1100m on December 4.”
Jockey Antonio da Silva, who was aboard Super Winner at his last three wins, as well as the unplaced run in Korea, was looking forward to reuniting with the brilliant Polytrack sprinter.
“Forget his race in Korea. This horse always tries his best and I’m sure he’ll return to his best here,” said the Brazilian jockey.
Meanwhile, da Silva rode Ace King, who is raced by similar connections to Super Winner, the Soh family, to a nice barrier trial win on Tuesday. The son of Swiss Ace was gearing up as one of the better two-year-olds back in March, but in the end, missed the whole juvenile season due to a leg injury.
Judging from the way Ace King overcame a sluggish start to quickly recover to a handy spot before coasting to the line first without really coming out of second gear, it is clear the setback is now behind him, which is another testament to Kieser’s renowned patience.
“That was his second trial. He needed the first one (October 25), but he went a lot better today,” said Kieser who also had newcomer and another Titanium Racing Stable ward, Redoubt (track rider Gilmar Pereira), in third place, about 1 ½ lengths away.
