Racing: Cash Adance for punters

Racing: Cash Adance for punters

Trainer Shane Baertschiger was feeling some added pressure as he saddled CASH ADVANCE before the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1,100m on the Polytrack in Race 2 at Kranji on Sunday.

The three-year-old debutant was owned by his father Don, a former long-time Singapore-based trainer who retired last year after more than 20 years based in Malaysia and Singapore.

But Shane needn't have worried as the $12 favourite, ridden by John Powell, led throughout to beat Washington Bay (Alan Munro) by 1½ lengths.

Hofburg Palace (Joao Moreira) was third, 1¼ lengths away.

Said Shane: "This is the first horse the 'old man' has had on his own with me since he left. He's got an interest in a few others, but, on his own, this is his first one.

"No doubt, the sling will be good."

Shane said it took some time for Cash Advance to make his racecourse debut as he hadn't shown him a lot on the track until almost a month ago.

"I didn't know what to make of him early on, as he wasn't showing us much at all," he said.

"Then, about a month ago, he started to show something.

"He had a couple of trials and his last trial was quite good, and the winner of that trial (Boomarang Deluxe) came out and won on Friday night.

"It's been a pretty good win as well. He pretty much ran near his top the whole way and was entitled to get a little bit tired towards the end.

"We're not getting too carried away with him just yet. It's good to get this win out of the way and we'll hopefully find another suitable race for him in the coming weeks."

Powell, who rode Cash Advance in his last trial behind Boomarang Deluxe, said the gelding still had quite a lot to learn.

Coming around the hometurn, his mount wanted to shy away from the inside, but, as Powell corrected him, he ducked in and struck the rail.

Big heart

"He shies at everything this horse," said Powell.

"He ran out and when I corrected him he ducked in.

"I had that in the back of mind today and that's why I just let him run and do what he wanted to do.

"I was worried that if I steadied him early on he would have done something like that and ruin his chances in the run.

"I had to push him out all the way to the line just to keep his mind on the job.

"He's a little on the small side but has a big heart and, in the end, he's won quite well today."

Cash Advance was the first leg of a double for Shane, who also scored in the last race with his debut winner FAALTLESS, who also led throughout with boom apprentice A'Isisuhairi Kasim astride in the $55,000 Class 4 Division 1 Stakes over 1,200m on the Polytrack.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

 

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.