New Zealand bred Red Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) proved that his recent strong trial was no fluke after he sprang a big upset on the Polytrack in the Class 2 1100m race at Kranji on Sunday.
A four-time winner on the turf, the five-year-old son of Ocean Park had been pigeonholed by most as a turf specialist.
While seemingly unwanted by the punters, Trainer Shane Baertschiger was confident of a good showing.
“He (Red Ocean) trialled like a bomb the other week,” said Baertschiger.
“He won by seven (lengths while) hard-held by Matthew Kellady and would have carried 65kgs in that trial.
“So while Class 2 was a test, (apprentice jockey) Rozlan (Nazam) claims four (kilos), so he would only carry 46kgs which is a huge swing in the weights.
“We always thought that he would go well. It was just a matter of whether he could lead or race on the pace as he (Red Ocean) seemed to prefer it that way.”
With speed horses drawn inside him Red Ocean was caught four wide and punching the breeze. To Rozlan’s credit, he did not panic on Red Ocean and kept his rhythm as they turned for home with Red Ocean getting the better of Sky Eye (NZ) (Per Incanto) by just under a length.
Red Ocean was sold by breeders Waikato Stud as a yearling at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale for $190,000 to Boon. He trialled once in New Zealand before being exported to Singapore. This was Red Ocean’s fifth win from 17 starts and he took his prizemoney to a shade over S$210,000 for his connections.
Other New Zealand bred winners in Singapore were Sayonara (Shocking), Super Posh (Super Easy), Very Surprise (Star Witness) and Tax Free (O’Reilly).
