The new Cliff Brown-Kissana Phathanacharoen partnership combined for their first win with Augustano on Sunday.
The new Thai outfit sent four horses to the Australian this year with the Hard Spun three-year-old being the first to salute in the interesting blue and motif silks in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m. The other three horses are Sorbeta, Foresto and the unraced Eastiger.
After an encouraging debut second to Be Bee in a Restricted Maiden race over 1100m, Augustano pressed on towards the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) one month later, coming up with a creditable sixth to Be Bee again.
Augustano (Barend Vorster) gains the upperhand from hot favourite Sattar (Oscar Chavez) to claim his first win, picture Singapore Turf Club
Lined up in easier company this time, Augustano ($14) jumped smartly from barrier two to keep short-priced favourite Sattar (Oscar Chavez) in his sights before taking him on upon straightening.
There was a keen struggle with Augustano taking a while to overpower Sattar for most of the home straight, but the $7 hotpot eventually buckled. Augustano kept going to score by half-a-length from $312 roughie Only Win (Derreck David).
Sattar held on for third place another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 11.94secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
“It’s always great to train a winner for a new owner. Kissana has a few more with me, but that’s the first to win a race,” said Brown.
“But we were very fortunate the other horse (Evil Roadster) came out as he looked very promising (in his two winning barrier trials).
“He came with a sustained run inside the last 600m. It was a great effort, even if he’s still very new.
“He wandered around at his last start when it was his first time under the lights. Michael Rodd has done a great job with him as well.”
The heavyweight rider could obviously not make the 52.5kgs handicap, which is why it was Barend Vorster who was roped in for the steering task.
“This horse ran second to me couple of runs back and he has sharpened up since to win a good race today,” said the South African jockey.
“He jumped out quick and I was able to get a breather midrace. We used the frontrunner as a guide and he did a great job to pass him.”
