The SG$75 000 Novice race over 1400m might have been a bit short for Boardroom, but connections were rewarded handsomely after he scored again from barrier to box on Saturday at Kranji.
With his only winning partner Bernardo Pinheiro aboard, the three-year-old son of Justify opened his account with an all-the-way win two starts ago in a Maiden race on 21 April, albeit over 1600m.
Boardroom (Bernardo Pinheiro) makes every post a winning one in Race 2 (Pic – STC)
A month later, the Ricardo Le grange-trained grey colt took a stab at Group glory in the Gr2 Singapore Guineas but only managed ninth behind stablemate Ace Of Diamonds.
While Le Grange was thrilled with the win by Ace Of Diamonds, he was not all disappointed by Boardroom’s unplaced run either. If anything, there was a silver lining from that run.
“The winner, Ace Of Diamonds, won the Singapore Guineas by four lengths and Boardroom was only about five lengths behind the second horse, Bakeel,” explained the South African handler.
“The pace was too fast in the Guineas. Considering the fact that Boardroom was only a one-time winner going into the Gr2 race, he ran exceptionally well there.
“He had good form behind Bakeel and didn’t finish far behind him, so the formline was good.
“Today was a Novice race over 1400m and when the rain came down, we came up with the plan to lead.”
Pinheiro executed the plan to perfection. After jumping from the outermost alley in the field of seven, Boardroom was bustled up to secure the lead on the rails while the pair of Santino (Koh Teck Huat) and Thunderstorm (Darren Danis) followed behind.
By the 300m, it was obvious his rivals were caught napping as Boardroom strode home to an effortless three-and-a-half-length win from favourite Cheval Pegasus (Simon Kok). Creative Dreams (Daniel Moor) ran another half-a-length away in third.
The winning time was 1 min 22.95secs for the 1400m on the Short Course on the yielding track.
With a trip not made to suit for a stayer like Boardroom, Pinheiro thought leading would work in their favour.
“He’s a big horse with long strides. We knew from early days he’d be a long-distance horse but he’s coming back from a Group race to the seven furlongs,” said the Brazilian hoop.
“Ricardo managed to keep him in very good form, and I know him very well since he was a baby.
“The 1400m was a bit of a question mark and that’s why I wanted to be positive. Even if we don’t end up in front, I wanted to be up there because I’m sure he will keep going.
“He’s not a horse with a turn of foot on the shorter trip, and we must use his good speed to our advantage. He broke very well and led. I made my own pace, so we were comfortable from there.
“He won his maiden race with me. I knew he will fight from the start, but he will be better over 1600m, 1800m and longer distances.”
With two wins from seven starts, Boardroom has now taken his earnings to close to SG$60,000 for his owner, Leonardo Javier.
