Promising three-year-old Indicio is shaping up as a flagship horse for trainer Stephen Gray after he reeled off his third win in a row on Tuesday.Gray did not enjoy the best of years in 2011, a state of affairs which was compounded by a stomach surgery, that he has luckily recovered from. Indicio, who is raced by the Big Valley Stable headed by Japanese businessman Masa Otani of El Dorado fame, happened to have been a much-needed tonic during his convalescence as his last two wins were scored during those difficult times.
Ridden by Saimee Jumaat in the $65,000 Good Health Stakes, a Graduation race over 1200m, Indicio, who was sent out as a short-priced $6 favourite, came from last in the small seven-horse field to put the race away in a few bounds once he was able to switch out wide upon straightening.
The winning time was 1min 10.9secs.
“What I like about this horse is he can relax and produce a very good turn of foot,” said Gray. “To me, that is a sign of a classy horse in the making.
“I’m very pleased for Masa as he was the first horse he personally bought at the Karaka Sales last year. I gave him a list and he went for this one.
“He’s a full brother to a very good sprinter back home called Geeza. We bought him for the Karaka Million but he got shinny and we brought him here instead.
“The field wasn’t strong today and he did a good job to win first-up. I think he should still be eligible for Graduation races and that’s what I will be looking for him.
“Then, I will be looking at the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge for him. We’re not getting too carried away but he’s definitely hitting the right way.”
Gray said the way he relaxed and wound up late suggested the mile should not be beyond him at a later stage.
“Saimee said he just switched off at the back and just when went whoosh once he asked him for an effort,” said Gray.
“He told me he should be able to go up to 1400m and even the mile but I will keep him to 1200m for now.”
Saimee who was back in the winner’s circle after coming from a suspension was all smiles as he returned to scales.
“It’s good to be back a winner on Chinese New Year,” said Saimee. “Let’s hope it brings me more luck this year.
“Steve just told me to hold him up as much as I can. When I clicked him up in the home straight, he was just a class above.”
Ridden by John Sundradas, Born To Fly ($22) took out the $55,000 Class 4 Lunar New Year Handicap over 1400m.
The Mossman four-year-old scored by a length over SS The Sprinter (Saifudin Ismail) with favourite Gold Pyramid (Joao Moreira) a half-length back in third place.
“What I like about this horse is he can relax and produce a very good turn of foot,” said Gray. “To me, that is a sign of a classy horse in the making.
“I’m very pleased for Masa as he was the first horse he personally bought at the Karaka Sales last year. I gave him a list and he went for this one.
“He’s a full brother to a very good sprinter back home called Geeza. We bought him for the Karaka Million but he got shinny and we brought him here instead.
“The field wasn’t strong today and he did a good job to win first-up. I think he should still be eligible for Graduation races and that’s what I will be looking for him.
“Then, I will be looking at the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge for him. We’re not getting too carried away but he’s definitely hitting the right way.”
Gray said the way he relaxed and wound up late suggested the mile should not be beyond him at a later stage.
“Saimee said he just switched off at the back and just when went whoosh once he asked him for an effort,” said Gray.
“He told me he should be able to go up to 1400m and even the mile but I will keep him to 1200m for now.”
Saimee who was back in the winner’s circle after coming from a suspension was all smiles as he returned to scales.
“It’s good to be back a winner on Chinese New Year,” said Saimee. “Let’s hope it brings me more luck this year.
“Steve just told me to hold him up as much as I can. When I clicked him up in the home straight, he was just a class above.”
Ridden by John Sundradas, Born To Fly ($22) took out the $55,000 Class 4 Lunar New Year Handicap over 1400m.
The Mossman four-year-old scored by a length over SS The Sprinter (Saifudin Ismail) with favourite Gold Pyramid (Joao Moreira) a half-length back in third place.
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