Gingerbread Man bounced back to his brilliant best in Singapore overnight with a strong win in the Group Three $250,000 Singapore 3YO Sprint (1200m).
Racing for the first time since January, Gingerbread Man showed he was the best three-year-old in Singapore when he beat fellow Magic Millions graduate Excavator in a driving finish.
The win delighted his trainer, former kiwi Bruce Marsh, after connections tried the proven sprinter at 1600 metres with a view toward the recent Dubai World Cup meeting.
But last night back against his own age group and at his preferred sprinting trip he proved he was a top class performer.
“We had to push him a bit hard as we wanted to find out if he would be good enough to go to Dubai then,” Marsh said.
“We knew he had the ability and the potential, but we still had to get the mileage in him, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work out.”
“So we freshened him up to bring him back to his best. The 3YO Challenge was also next on his agenda, but I was worried we would run out of time to get him back.”
“But his class helped him make up for lost time. It was a great thrill to see him win tonight.”
“He will most definitely go for the second leg of the 3YO Series (Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400 metres on April 24).”
“He ran a shocker over 1600 metres, but I would still see him go over that trip against his own age group.”
Winning rider Vlad Duric, who’s now won two races aboard Gingerbread Man, said the son of Shamardal was back to his best and was already looking forward to the second leg of the series in three weeks time.
“He jumped very well and did all the work by himself,” Duric said. “He had a lovely run throughout and when I went for him, he fought very hard.”
“He’s a real professional and all credit must go to Bruce and his team for having brought him back to his best.”
“He’ll be meeting the same horses at the next leg over 1400 metres. The seven furlongs will be right up his alley.”
Gingerbread Man is raced by Joe Singh’s Gingerbread Stable after being purchased on their behalf of Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant James Dawson for $30,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
That $30,000 investment has proven a masterstroke with the exciting galloper having six wins and two second placings from just nine starts and earnings of over $418,000.
Gingerbread Man is one of two winners and a placegetter, from three to race, for the twice raced Hurricane Sky mare Quaffle.
Quaffle, who was served last spring by former champion racehorse and now leading sire Lonhro, will go under the hammer at June’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast.
She is a half sister to the stakes winner Golden Snitch and is from a Snippets winning half sister to Epsom Handicap winner Iron Horse.
Winner: Gingerbread Man (Shamardal-Quaffle)
Race: Singapore TC Singapore 3YO Sprint G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $30,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Rothwell Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Earnings: S$418,000
Owner(s): Gingerbread Stable
Trainer: Bruce Marsh (Kranji)
