12 October 2009
Trainer Don Baertschiger need not have had any reservations prior to Afriend, (pictured), scoring an easy debut victory in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden (2 & 3YO) over 1100m on the Polytrack recently.
Capablanca's half-brother streets rivals at debut
Baertschiger was “a bit nervous” prior to the race because of Afriend’s habits, but he need not have worried as Capablanca’s half-brother streeted his rivals.
Eased down by Robbie Fradd, Afriend scored a six length victory over My Papparich (Danny Beasley) with My Yearly Victory (Mark Gallagher) two lengths away third.
Afriend recorded a brisk 1min 05.7secs for the 1100m journey, just 0.4 seconds outside of Tuxedo Moon’s track record.
The three-year-old is a New Zealand-bred by Highview Stud-based sire Danroad from the Southern Appeal mare, Ahava, and Baertschiger is confident the gelding can go onto bigger and better things.
“He had shown us plenty right from the outset,” said Baertschiger. “He had trialled well but when I gave him another trial to fit him up, but he did a lot wrong.
“I wanted John (Powell) to get him too settled behind the speed and just teach him something new, but all he did was fight John and ended up running off on the bend.
“I then threw a one-eyed blinker on him and had to give him another trial. That settled him down and he raced truly.
“What I liked about him tonight was the way he let down and got away from them when Robbie asked him for an effort.
“He has the makings of a nice horse.”
Afriend is owned by the Friends Stable, long term owners here in Singapore, but first time owners with Baertschiger.
Fradd has a healthy opinion of Afriend who responded well to his urgings.
“I allowed him to drift to the centre of the course up the straight,” said Fradd. “I didn’t want him getting spooked by the big screen.
“It can be a bit unnerving for young horses, especially those having their first starts.”
Baertschiger said he would possibly look for a Novice race with Afriend, preferably one on the Polytrack.
“He’s shown a liking for the surface and it would be a good way to keep his confidence up,” said Baertschiger.
Afriend is a half brother to the Baertschiger-trained Capablanca (by Scenic) who is a Group 1 winner of the Lion City Cup and is back in work preparing for another campaign.
“Even though I trained Capablanca I didn’t go chasing this bloke,” said Baertschiger. “The owners found him themself and I think they have a nice horse.”
* A sister to Afriend was born at Highview Stud early October and studmaster Brent Gillovic reported the foal was a spitting image.
