News

Klever Man scores smart win at debut

8th Sep 2012

Singapore Turf Club - Michael Lee - Friday, 7 September 2012

Trainer Shane Baertschiger seems to have unearthed a promising sort in impressive debut winner Klever Man (pictured) on Friday night.

After seeing his debut put off due to shinsoreness, the Dehere three-year-old showed he had fully recovered with a smashing 4 ¾ length win for jockey John Powell with another two debutants filling the minor spots. I-Scream Now (Soo Khoon Beng) ran second with Dragon King (Danny Beasley) third another 1 ½ lengths away.

The winning time was 1min 11.22secs for the 1200m (turf) trip of the $65,000 race for Restricted Maidens (2 & 3YO).

Klever Man ($28), who cost A$80,000 as a yearling at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales, is owned by Baertschiger himself in partnership with Dean Tonkin, Black Rain’s owner, under the DS Racing Stable banner.

“I thought he was a certainty after he trialled enormous last week. He ran second under a stranglehold,” said the Australian handler.

“He was meant to start as a two-year-old and was trialling quite well until he went shinsore. We gave him a spell and he’s been working well again.

“I think he will get more ground. We will just take our time with him as he’s definitely got plenty of scope here.

“I’m pretty rapt as I own half of the shares with Dean, who’s been a good owner of mine for a while now. He’s had a nice one in Black Rain and hopefully we can have a bit of fun with this one as well.”

Powell, who was at his first win since returning last Sunday from a lengthy nine-day ban through suspension for careless riding, was quite taken by the newcomer’s first-up winning display.

“He’s a very smart horse and was well prepared by Stretch (Baertschiger’s nickname) and the boys,” said Powell.

“He’s had quite a few trials, including education trials and has come right through them in good shape.

“He’s a nice big strong horse and scored a pretty soft win in the end. The way he just kept going away without weakening are very good signs.

“This is definitely one with a bright future.”​

Picture c/- Singapore Turf Club