Promising galloper Webster makes his racing comeback at this Friday’s standalone meeting with trainer Daniel Meagher happy to take that first-up run as a guide to future endeavours.

The Australian handler said he had given the Graham Mackie-trained son of Showcasing a bit more time to strengthen up, and he was happy so far with the way he has come back.

Webster, who scored two wins in a row at the last two of his three starts, both over 1200m on turf, with the latest coming in a Novice event on June 30, returns to competition in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1000m on Polytrack.



The Graham Mackie-owned Webster (Manoel Nunes) at his maiden win on June 2, picture Singapore Turf Club

For a start, Class 3 is a different kettle of fish from Novice material, but Meagher said regardless, the four-year-old was still some way off the finished product.

“He has done nothing wrong so far. He has improved but he still has a long way to go before we stamp him as a serious racehorse,” said Meagher.

“He’s a horse that has changed a lot from the break. It’s been mentally good for him.

“The Class 3 race over 1000m on Friday is a good starting point. He would have been better off over 1200m on turf, but this fitted well into his programme. He has only 52kgs and Manoel Nunes will ride him.

“He had a soft trial last week (seventh from seven last Tuesday). Danny Beasley (stable supervisor) rode him and he came out of the trial very well.

“It was a pleasing piece of work.”

Meagher, however, sat on the fence about the prospect of seeing Webster bouncing straight back to the winner’s circle after the break, still taking stock from a similar recent scenario.

Just two weeks ago, he threw last-start winner Walking Thunder in at the deep end against better horses, and he was beaten in fourth place by the impressive Sir Isaac.

“He’s up in class and the field is tougher. He’s in a similar situation as Walking Thunder,” said Meagher.

“They’re both inexperienced and they take on much more seasoned horses. Sometimes they do measure up, sometimes they don’t.

“If he wins, great, but what matters to me more is he comes out improved from the run.”

With a plethora of handy Class 3 horses like Mr Luck and Red Dawn, and up-and-comers like Splinter, Pure Justice and Kratos on his ward’s way, Meagher has tried to suss out the speedmap to give himself every chance.

“A lot of speed will come out of this race. He will come back a bit, and hopefully, he finishes off,” said Meagher.

“He’s only a light horse and I have to be careful with what I do with him. He’s very adaptable as he is a genuine horse who can be ridden in front or behind, it doesn’t matter.

“He showed at his last win he can come from behind and finish off pretty good. Like I said, there is no pressure, I just want him to come out of it really well so I can plan his races ahead better.”