Singapore, May 31 – The loss of Golden Slipper winning sire Catbird was again highlighted at the weekend when his Australian bred son Ghozi landed trainer John O’Hara his biggest success when victorious in the $300,000 Stewards’ Cup Sg Gr 2 over 1400 metres at Kranji on Sunday.
Ridden a superb race by Saimee Jumaat and coming from off the pace, Ghozi scored by two-and-three-quarter lengths and ran the trip in 1 min 21.26 seconds, taking 0.08 seconds off the previous course record held by Better Than Ever.
John O’Hara said the plan is for the gelding to now tackle the $500,000 Patron’s Bowl Sg G1over 1600m on June 20 with the view to then lining-up in the Singapore Derby Sg Gr 1 over 2000m on July 11.
“We set him for this race with the view to running him over the mile,” said O’Hara. “After that we will then decide on whether to press on for the Derby.
“On that win I think he will have no trouble getting the mile as he relaxed so beautifully in the run.
“We have known that he does have a good turn of foot, but I was a bit worried today with the weight that the sprint may have been taken from him.”
“O’Hara praised the ride of Saimee who had the gelding switched off from his wide gate and tucked in behind the speed.
“It was a great ride by Saimee,” said O’Hara. “He rode him an absolute treat. He got him to switch off which was important to the success.”
Ghozi, who is two wins from as many starts since joining O’Hara’s stable, was previously prepared by John Meagher before the move by the Dermawan Stable.
“I have to say a special thank-you to Mr Winoro and his team for entrusting me with the horse,” said O’Hara. “It has been a pleasure to train for him all the way through.”
Ghozi had seven starts in Australia for Kris Lees winning twice and placing three times under the name of Catacaos before his sale to Singapore.
Ghozi has proved to be a model of consistency since coming from Sydney and has now had four wins and two seconds from his seven Singapore starts.
Ghozi is the first stake-winner for the Luskin Star mare Finito Fling, who has also left handy metropolitan winners Spur Me On and Sunset Express.
Ghozi is the second major race winner for ill-fated Yarraman Park based sire Catbird in Singapore over the past month with Hong Kong trained Green Birdie taking the Group One Krisflyer International Sprint.
