Curraghmore graduate Incheon Express (NZ) (Showcasing) began his racing career in style winning at Ballarat on Tuesday.
Incheon Express wins on debut. Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos
The three-year-old debutant runs in the distinctive purple and yellow checks of breeder-owner Dr Tan.
Like Group One winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park), Incheon Express spent time with John Malcom at Cheltenham Stables for his early education. He then headed to David Greene at Te Rapa before transferring to current trainer John Sadler as a November two-year-old.
Sadler was impressed with Incheon Express’ run and said everything went to plan for the son of Showcasing during his first trip to the races.
“Our plan was what Froggy (jockey Craig Newitt) did,” Sadler said. “We wanted to jump and be positive and go forward. The sort of lead he set up is pretty hard to run down but he was still full of running on the line.”
By Showcasing out of Bernardini mare Altai Rose, Incheon Express’ breeding indicates he will suit a mile though Sadler intends to keep to shorter distances for the time being.
“He has really good speed,” Sadler said. “We will stick to the sprinting races at the moment.”
Sadler has had to take the patient approach with Incheon Express and said immaturity and a paddock accident delayed the New Zealand bred galloper’s debut.
“He was very immature and had a paddock accident and hurt himself behind and took some time to get over it,” Sadler said.
