With a winner as well as finishing second in a Gr1 race, not to mention several placings on Saturday, trainer Ricardo Le Grange could not complain, but the day was still permeated with a sombre mood.
The South African trainer revealed that the day’s winner Malibu Beach’s Filipino owner Rodolfo Mendoza sadly passed away in Manila on Tuesday.
After five starts for Mendoza, the grey/roan US-bred four-year-old by Malibu Moon was opening his account in a Class 5 Division 2 race over 1200m, the $30,000 Rocket Man 2009-2012 Stakes, in the red and green silks of Mendoza’s son Paolo as opposed to the white and green set of colours of the father.
Malibu Beach (Noh Senari) leaves his rivals in his wake on Saturday.
Incidentally, all the 11 Mendoza horses – previously owned by father and son under the umbrella of different partnerships – now run wholly in Paolo Mendoza’s name.
“To have a winner for Rudy and his family on Saturday means a lot to me. It was a good way to remember Rudy, and it couldn’t have come in a more fitting race as the Rocket Man Stakes,” said Le Grange.
Rocket Man’s era was well before Mendoza joined Kranji as an owner in 2018, but the naming of that race certainly resonated with Le Grange who, as trainer Patrick Shaw’s assistant-trainer, held a key role to the iconic Singapore sprinter’s reign at Kranji.
By coincidence, the horse often dubbed by racing sentimentalists as the “other Rocket Man”, was Mendoza’s first racehorse at Kranji, and by far his best horse, four-time winner Rocket Star, who was actually the one who ran a mighty second to Lim’s Lightning in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Saturday.
“Rudy would have been really happy with Rocket Star’s second in the Lion City Cup as well,” said Le Grange.
“To do that first-up after a long break (following a bleeding attack in a trial), it was a huge run. He followed the winner everywhere.”
As it turned out, Le Grange fielded two other Mendoza runners on Saturday, Tony’s Love, who put in his best run to-date (third to Split Second) in the Class 5 race Division 1 race over 2000m, and Polytrack mile record holder Leatherhead, who was not disgraced with a fourth place in the Class 3 race over 1600m won by Axel.
Ricardo Le Grange and Noh Senari are delighted with Malibu Beach’s first win
Le Grange also chalked up two more seconds with Pennywise and Yes One Ball, and a third with Senor Don on Saturday, a remarkable performance considering he fielded nine runners.
At his fifth full season, Le Grange, who has slowly but surely bounced back from a slump in 2019, following a breakout first season and a creditable sophomore year, mourns the loss of a budding owner who had just begun to bring a valuable contribution to that rebuilding phase, but takes solace in the fact his memory will still live on through the racing legacy passed down to his son.
“I first met Rudy at the Magic Millions Ready-To-Run sale on the Gold Coast in 2018,” recalled Le Grange.
“He was really passionate about racing, and keen to race in Singapore. He straightaway bought Rocket Star for A$130,000, and sent him to me.
“He then followed up with Pindus and Leatherhead some time later. They have both proven to be two handy sorts by winning three races each.
“He’s bought eight more young horses, among whom Rocket Ryane and now Malibu Beach, have won one each. The others, mostly US-breds, look promising.
“Rudy and Paolo have been wonderful, and I’m glad they got to enjoy many wins (12) at Kranji. I take this opportunity to send my deepest condolences to the family. Rest in peace, Rudy.”
Le Grange said Malibu Beach had always shown ability, be it in his races (three placings from five first starts), trials or trackwork, but it’s taken a bit of gear tinkering and a heady ride from his go-to rider these days, Noh Senari, to release his true potential.
“All the credit should go to Noh. He works the horse and is the one who suggested some gear adjustment – take the blinkers off and change the bridle,” said Le Grange who has climbed up the log to seventh place on eight winners.
“He rode a great race, too, it was a confident ride. He made a winning move at the 600m when he saw the pace slackened, and gave the horse a backhander to go forward.
“That win can only boost his confidence and bring him back on top.”
