Be Bee won’t be the only reason why trainer Shane Baertschiger will be a busy bee this weekend.
Last year’s Singapore champion two-year-old heads a trio of runners for the Australian handler in the $250,000 Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on Good Friday. Two days later, Baertschiger comes back with two more Group runners in the $200,000 Group 3 JBBA Rocket Man Sprint (1200m).
With 10 more horses spread around the bumper 22-race weekend, not to mention right-hand man Scott Bailey being currently on holidays in the US, Baertschiger is likely to be “stretched” even further.
Shane Baertschiger is pleased with the way Stunning Cat has been working, picture Singapore Turf Club
Be Bee will line up along stablemates Stunning Cat and Chocante in the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge on Friday while Aramco and Best Tothelign represent the in-form yard in the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series on Sunday.
It is unlikely any of his five big-race runners will start as favourite, even if Be Bee and Stunning Cat will have their fair share of admirers, but Baertschiger couldn’t be happier with their conditions leading up into the contest they had all been set for.
“My three three-year-olds are all well and ready. It’s been the plan to set them for the first Leg; everything has gone to plan with them,” said Baertschiger.
“Of the three, Be Bee is the proven horse, but Stunning Cat has been working very well.
“Chocante is the only one not to have won out of Class 4, so he will be facing a big test. The barrier draw will be important for all of them.”
Baertschiger has booked stable jockey and regular partner John Powell on Be Bee (x Showcasing) while two new riders get a leg-up on the other two: Benny Woodworth on Stunning Cat (x Smart Missile) and Alan Munro on Chocante (x Fastnet Rock).
But with the JBBA Rocket Man Sprint being a handicap race, Powell will be watching from the jockeys’ room. The heavyweight jockey has steered Aramco to three of his four wins but the Magic Albert five-year-old is weighted at 50.5kgs while Best Tothelign gets in at 51.5kgs.
It’s Singapore champion apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen who is booked on Aramco while Baertschiger’s No 2 jockey Matthew Kellady jumps on Best Tothelign.
Aramco, a five-year-old by Magic Albert, who is resuming since his creditable third to Clarton Super in the Group 2 EW Barker (1400m) in November, has been trialling in good heart with Powell up.
“He was spelled after his third in the Barker and has had two good trials leading up to the Rocket Man Sprint,” said Baertschiger.
“It was always the plan to set him for that race first-up. CC Wong will ride him.
“The 1200m is a bit short for Best Tothelign, he prefers 1400m to a mile. But if they go along, he can finish in the first four with a bit of luck.”
Baertschiger was also pleased with new stable addition Olympian Eager, who won at his first barrier trial for him on Tuesday. Ridden by Powell, the I Am Invincible five-year-old led all the way to score from Foresto (Vlad Duric).
The lightly-raced giant of a horse was recently transferred to Baertschiger from trainer David Kok for whom he produced a handy record of two wins and one second from three starts – as an entire, but not anymore.
“He was gelded just before he came to us. I don’t weigh my horses, but I can tell he’s not as heavy now,” said Baertschiger of the Tivic Stable-owned gelding who weighed in at a whopping 647kgs at his last start.
“He ran a very nice trial today. He runs next Friday in a Class 3 race over 1100m.”
Olympian Eager (who moved in with stablemate Keepitup from Kok’s yard) is incidentally paving the way to more Tivic (better known as owner of former champion galloper Stepitup) arrivals in Baertschiger’s stables.
“Thomas Loke (of Tivic Stable) has two two-year-olds with us and just bought five yearlings who will also be joining us,” he said.
