Ninja fights hard to land breakthrough city win

It wasn’t as dominant as the eleven-length margin he scored by last time but Ninja has done just enough to post his first Saturday metropolitan victory at Rosehill.

A thumping winner at Kembla Grange earlier this month, Ninja wasn’t the smartest to jump and had to work hard to find the front before clinging to a short half-head victory over Without Peer in Saturday’s Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m).

Trainer Michael Freedman was pleased with the performance despite the narrow margin and said Ninja’s effort to make a successful progression from provincial maiden to benchmark 72 grade shouldn’t be underestimated.

“While the margin wasn’t great and we certainly wouldn’t want it over, I thought there was a lot of merit in it and he’s a horse with a future,” Freedman said.

“I don’t care what anybody says, even though the margin was big the other day, it’s not easy going from a maiden to a benchmark 72 in town.”

“He is still learning his craft and he’s got a bit of upside.”

Saturday was Ninja’s third start and Freedman was unsure how much further he would press on this preparation.

“I will see how he pulls up. I’m always a little hesitant with horses that have raced a bit through the winter, how far into the spring you press on with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pippie Beach took her heavy track record to three wins from four starts when she lumped 60kg top weight to victory in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1400m), defeating stablemate Sister Daae.

While the first two across the line are both deep into their current campaigns, Waller says both can make an impact next time around.

“Sister Daae will come back and win three in a row next preparation. She has been unlucky but she has done a great job. Remember her for the future,” Waller said.

“Pippie Beach may be able to pick up a bit of black type next time in in a race like the Aspiration Quality.”

Pippie Beach ($6) scored by three-quarters of a length over Sister Daae ($9) with Sacred Rocks ($4.20) edging out Amreekiyah ($3.70 fav) for third.

The favourite had a wide run from her gate and appeared to hit a flat spot at the top of the straight before warming up again to find the line late.