Karaka Graduate Wins Committee's Prize

I'm Incredible (Lope de Vega) was thrown in at the deep end by trainer Shane Baertschiger in Sunday's S$175,000 Committee's Prize (1600m), and the Karaka graduate rose to the occasion in style.

Bought for $260,000 from Curraghmore's draft at the 2016 Premier Sale, I'm Incredible had won three of his first seven starts in Singapore, most recently a Class 4 victory on July 21. Sunday's race was a steep rise in class, but I'm Incredible was equal to the task.

Ridden by A'Isisuhairi (Harry) Kasim, the five-year-old settled in third place before moving into second at the top of the home straight.

Through the last 300 metres, he reeled in the tearaway leader Makanani(Black Tide) and went clear to win by a length and a half.

"I really wanted to ride this horse as I knew he was going to do well over this distance," Kasim said. "In the race, he was always travelling nice and steady. I just left him alone, let him run relaxed.

"I just wanted to save him up for that last run. I saw him win his last start, and I know he has a really good finish. At the 300m, when I changed my whip to the left, I knew he would get there."

Baertschiger trains I'm Incredible for owner Desmond Ong's Doha Stable.

"When I told the owners I would run the horse in the Committee's Prize, they thought I was crazy," Baertschiger said. "There aren't a lot of horses on 69 points who run in a Group race, let alone win.

"But my horse had a light weight, and I knew he has a good turn of foot. Harry rode him a treat.

"I think that horse can improve further. It's only his second-up run. The Gold Cup (2000m, November 10) is his goal and I will probably look at the El Dorado Classic (2000m on September 20) as his next target."

I'm Incredible began his career under the name Miraculous Moment, and he won two trials in Brisbane in April of 2018.

Since relocating in Singapore, he has raced eight times for four wins and a placing, earning more than S$160,000 (NZ$179,700) in stakes.

I'm Incredible is a half-brother toIn A Twinkling(Fastnet Rock), who was a $250,000 purchase at Karaka in 2016 by Te Akau principal David Ellis. He has been placed in three stakes races including the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Another Fastnet Rock half-brother sold for $250,000 in Karaka 2019 Book 1.

Another Karaka graduate,Star Emperor(NZ) (Red Giant), finished third in Sunday's race. Passed in at the 2015 Select Sale with a reserve of just $10,000, he has won four of his 14 starts and earned the equivalent of more than NZ$210,000.