Rafaello all guts and glory
6YO finds second wind to score his ninth victory
For a few moments after straightening, it looked like he had hoisted the white flag, but gutsy Rafaello found a second wind to snatch the main race at Kranji yesterday.
Victory in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A event over the Polytrack 1,100m was the sixyear-old Australian-bred’s ninth in 33 starts and a date with the $200,000 Group 3 Garden City Trophy over 1,200m on turf on Oct 21 now beckons.
While the winner deserved all the accolades, spare a thought for the unlucky runner-up, Distinctive Darci, who ruined all chances by missing the start and lost precious lengths.
The $14 favourite came with a barnstorming run to finish only a length behind, with a nose to $39 chance Special King. Laststart winner Skywalk was only a neck away in fourth.
Racing in the famous redand-black colours of South African businessman Alfredo Crabbia, owner of Singapore’s best-known equine celebrity Rocket Man, Rafaello jumped well and hunted the three duelling leaders, Special King, Constant Justice and Al Green. Lincoln Road, the $120 outsider, then charged up very deep to take a narrow lead from Special King and Constant Justice at the 600m bend. Jockey Barend Vorster kept Rafaello handy behind the pack.
Lincoln Road, who went wide, and Special King dropped off Constant Justice on straightening. Rafaello moved up nicely but became one-paced.
Special King soon kicked clear. Rafaello was still there but was not making much progress. Skywalk loomed up. Distinctive Darci was still way back but started to rev up.
Although ridden out, Rafaello only lengthened from the final 150m and got up to score. Distinctive Darci flew home but could only beat Special King for second placing.
Installed the third favourite, Rafaello paid $27 for a win.
Trainer Ricardo Le Grange’s heart must have missed a few beats when Rafaello did not kick on after tacking so beautifully into the straight.
“Like halfway down the straight, I don’t know what happened. You know, he definitely went through a flat spot but he eventually won a good race. It was a solid win,” said the South African.
“I thought it was a very good ride by Barend and I just got some news that Nooresh Juglall has a little baby boy, so I would like to dedicate this win to him and his wife. I know this horse means a lot to Nooresh as well.”
Le Grange has now set his sights on the Garden City Trophy with his charge.
“Look, he’s probably like a Garden City type of horse, you know, as otherwise I think the 1,400m is the furthest he wants to go. He’s a better 1,200m horse. Look, I’m going to savour this moment and work it out later with him.”
Vorster reckoned the pace was a little hotter than the previous two starts when Juglall was aboard but Rafaello “nevertheless kept his cool”.
“It was a little tight going on the inside for a run. But, once he put his head through there, it took him a couple of strides to really get into it and, running to the line, he was just guts and glory. He really finished off well,” said the 2004 Singapore champion.
Both Vorster and Le Grange were rapt winning for Crabbia, who they said was one of the staunchest supporters of Singapore racing.
“Every time the black-andred colours come up here – be it a maiden, a Class 1 horse or whatever, you always think of the great Rocket Man and Fred Crabbia, who’s been a great supporter of racing and the stable,” said Le Grange, who made it a running double with $37 chance Super Power (Alan Munro) in the last race.
Added Vorster: “I mean, you always remember seeing the great Rocket Man going through the tunnel, you know, and obviously, Fred Crabbia. He’s one of the staunchest supporters, never interferes, always appreciates the racing and very well done to him.”
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