Richebourg showed he may well be above-average material following a sensational winning debut where he thumped his $20,000 Open Maiden (1000m) rivals by more than four lengths on Sunday.
Connections had been a little wary how the Real Saga four-year-old would go first-up given his barrier antics, even if his record showed one barrier trial win apiece in New Zealand and Kranji.
The unruly trait reared its ugly head at the second barrier trial in Singapore, when he unseated champion jockey Vlad Duric (his winning partner at his first trial). Further barrier schooling was necessary before he could be readied up for his grand premiere.
Even if he did mend his ways, trainer Mark Walker still held some reservations given the stark contrast between a rehearsal and a real race, but he had to give him his baptism of fire at some stage.
Not only he went in like a lamb, but the way he just blew away his 10 rivals like they were tacked to the ground certainly pleased the two-time Singapore champion trainer no end.
“He’s had a fair few barrier problems. We certainly didn’t think he could win the way he did today,” said Walker.
“He’s obviously made a lot of improvement since, which is the exciting thing about him given his barrier history.
“After he threw Vlad off in the barriers, John Pepe and Damien Kinninmont (Singapore Turf Club starters) came in to help. They had to work for a long time with him, and all the credit should go to them.”
Walker’s apprentice jockey Zawari Razali, who was at his only booking of the day, was glad he came on top after the minders had managed to subdue Richebourg.
“He’s a nice horse, even if I know he gave some problems at the barriers. I didn’t ride him then and when I got on, he was not naughty at all,” said the Kelantan-born rider.
“Like today, he was very quiet and was loaded up quite easily. During the race, he jumped okay, but he was off the bit at the 500m, and I thought he was gone then.
“But at the 400m, he picked up the bit again and he showed a very nice turn of foot to win the race very easily.”
Favourite Pure Spark (Ryan Curatolo) was the best away and still looked full of running at the top of the straight, but once Richebourg ($69) sailed past him on the outside, it soon turned into a one-horse race.
Richebourg defeated Pure Spark by four-and-a-quarter lengths with Mr Coppola (Alysha Collett) third another short head away. The son of Redoute’s Choice was returning for his first run as a three-year-old following a disappointing unplaced run on debut behind Streetwise in the fourth Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the Inglis Ready2Race Stakes over 1200m on July 1.
Richebourg clocked 59.71 seconds for the 1000m on the Polytrack, giving the impression he would be even better over more ground.
“This horse is still improving and he definitely can go further,” said Zawari.
