Goodwood Stud graduate Simply The Best rewarded his connections’ patience with an impressive win in Singapore last night. The now four-year-old by Golden Slipper winner Stratum was a major force when he began his career at Kranji in August 2010, racking up four wins in six starts to earn himself a shot at the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge in 2011.
A third placing in the first Leg, the Sprint race over 1200m was his best result and his form tapered off thereafter, but more worryingly for his trainer Desmond Koh and owner the Paiza Stable, Simply The Best became a barrier rogue, a situation which necessitated a break.
The rest helped recharge the batteries, but the head was obviously still not fixed when he again became fractious in the barriers at his comeback race on December 4. Koh sent him back for reschooling with the enlisted help of leading jockey Joao Moreira. After weeks of coaxing at the pens, Simply The Best finally changed for the better when he loaded into the gate without any handlers. He passed two barrier trials and was ready for his return.
Ridden by Moreira in a Class 3 race over 1200m on February 24, Simply The Best walked in like a lamb and ran on nicely for an encouraging third to Goal Keeper. With that run under the belt, his second race was highly-anticipated and the former four-time winner did not let his backers down when he produced an electrifying turn of foot at the 300m to shoot clear for a two and a-half length length win from the previously unbeaten Dollhouse.
“That was a huge relief to see him back in the winner’s circle. He’s still not 100 per cent, probably 90 per cent now, but most importantly you saw how good he can be when he does not play up at the gates,” Koh said. “They released him the moment he walked in and that is probably how he should be loaded. On that run, I would say he is really up to the mark now and I may consider the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge as his next target. I would definitely consider the first Leg (Stewards’ Cup over 1400m) and seriously look at the second Leg (Patron’s Bowl) over the mile.”
Moreira for one was extremely pleased he had seen his hard work pay off with a handsome win from the favourite. “I had to work for weeks to get him there. As you know he’s a horse who often got scratched behind the barriers but I knew from his third to Gingerbread Man in a Group race, he had ability,” said the Brazilian, who was at another riding treble having saluted earlier on Masthead and Nandowra. “That’s why I was very keen to get on him. And to see him win so well tonight is particularly satisfying as it would have been a shame to see such talent go to waste because of his barrier manners. I think he still had a little more to give me in the end. It’s just that when he got there in front, he had a tendency to stop. If another horse was there to chase him, I’m sure he would have scored by even further. I just had to show him the whip to keep his mind on the job.”
Simply The Best has now recorded five wins and five placings from 12 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $250,000 for the Paiza Stable. He is out of the End Sweep mare Career Start who is a half-sister to the dam of the Gr 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Eagle Falls.