Former Godolphin galloper Pindus did well to break his Australian pattern of shedding his bridesmaid tag sooner rather than later with a first win at Kranji at his fourth start on Friday night.
In 10 starts for trainer James Cummings in and around New South Wales, the Exceed And Excel four-year-old never saluted, but found one better six times and ran third once.
Pindus (Ben Thompson, No 2) gets the better of Lim’s Moment (Benny Woodworth) in the second (Pic – Singapore Turf Club)
Bought by Filipino connections to race with Ricardo Le Grange in Singapore, Pindus kicked off his new stint in the same vein with a second in a Class 4 race over 1000m on September 6.
He again missed out with a close third in a blanket finish one month later, before putting in his worst run when a fading seventh to Flying Tourbillon in an Open Maiden race over 1000m on October 18.
But given a peach of a ride by Ben Thompson, incidentally his first partner at his Singapore debut, Pindus ($21) finally found the line in the $20,000 Open Maiden-2 race over 1000m on Polytrack.
He did give a fleeting impression he would not go on with the job halfway up the straight when Thompson set him alight on the outside, but as soon as his rider changed his stick to the left hand, he put his mind on the job to stride to a gutsy three-quarter length victory.
Lim’s Moment (Benny Woodworth), who sat outside leader Ningaloo (Jessica Eaton) right through, did look the goods when he took over at the 300m, but Pindus proved too strong for him.
Short-priced favourite Simba (Noh Senari) also came with a bold say on the outside, but eventually peaked on his run to settle for third place another neck away. The winning time was 59.65secs for the 1000m on Polytrack.
After loudly willing his ward home the entire length of the straight, a breathless Le Grange was a hugely relieved man at the winner’s circle.
“It’s been sheer frustration, and when he won tonight, that just came out,” said the South African handler of his exuberant cheers from the stands.
“A big shout out to Steve Levar who told me how to ride this horse and it was also a great competent ride by Ben.
“With two furlongs to go, I knew my horse was just flying. His fitness was not an issue and we changed his gear (no blinkers).
“This is a new client in the game. He (Paolo De Villa Mendoza) is super passionate about it.
“I know it’s only a Maiden race, and he’s been a non-trier, but this win has given me such a great satisfaction tonight.”
Thompson said he did have the feeling Pindus would be winning post-shy again when he set him up for the perfect launch at the top of the straight, but his raw ability took care of matters.
“I know this horse has had a few go’s and ran seven seconds, but he came to Ricardo in great condition, as Godolphin horses do. He ran second to Zousain, who was such a good horse back home,” said the Australian jockey, who was recently relicensed for another season at Kranji in 2020.
“I rode him at his first start. He’s been a bridesmaid and I wanted to ride him on feel tonight.
“I just gave him a cuddle and save his petrol at the business end, and thankfully, there was good speed in the race.
“I wouldn’t say I knew the race was in his keeping. I had the persuader in the right hand and it’s only when I hit him with the left hand in the last 150m that he got the job done.
“There is no doubting his talent. It was just a matter of getting it out of him.”
A stakes earner of around A$43,000 for the almighty Godolphin in Australia, Pindus has doubled his local earnings to around $23,000 for his new connections.
- Singapore Turf Club
