January (NZ) (Swiss Ace) looks to be an exciting find for trainer Donna Logan after he opened his account in the S$75,000 Restricted Maiden 1400 on Saturday in Singapore.
Bought at NZ$75,000 for the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale last year, the three-year-old son of Swiss Ace already impressed his New Zealand handler with two placings in two starts as she called him “an exciting horse coming through”.
Sent out as favourite from the inside gate, January settled behind the leader before peeling out and striding past comfortably to win by a neck.
Donna Logan’s Assistant-trainer Hamsha Aloysius was on hand to welcome the yard’s 55th winner of the season.
“He’s one to look out for next year I think,” said Aloysius.
“Today, we planned to sit off the speed. He stargazed a little when he hit the front but that’s because he’s immature.
“We still have to coax him to do the right thing now, but he’s a nice horse.
“There’s a Novice 1400m on the turf on November 19 but we’ll see how he pulls up first and the boss will decide if she’ll run him or not.
“He may step up to the mile in future but for now we would stick to the seven furlongs.”
Jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong agreed that his mount was slightly green when he got to the front, but he has a big heart.
“He was drawn wider the first time I rode him (on debut in a similar race on September 24), so I couldn’t get him closer, but he got there naturally today,” said the Ipoh-born rider.
“I just cuddled him up and the pace was genuine enough for him to travel.
“He felt a bit lost at the top of the straight when I brought him halfway out from Bestseller, so I gave him a few slaps on the Long Course and he chased the horse in front very bravely.
“As soon as he got past him, I gave him a few more reminders. Though another horse came on his outside, he still fought on.
“He can step up to the mile.”
With that first win and two placings in three starts, January has now earned over S$50,000 in prizemoney for connections.
Other New Zealand bred winners at Kranji on Saturday include Fountain Of Fame (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Kinabalu Prince (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), & Whistle Grand (NZ) (Coats Choice).
