WHILE trainer Robert Pearson welcomed a much-improved performance by his charge Rejected Raja, he has not given much thought about the three-year-old’s Classic prospects and insisted that they intend to be slow and steady with his development.

Pearson’s declaration came shortly after Rejected Raja was awarded a dramatic, three-year-old non-winner of two races and an imported maiden event for the Backstretch Support Trophy, by the stewards.

This as Phillip Feanny’s Flybluejet, who initially went by passed the post in first place, was disqualified for causing interference and intimidation to Pearson’s chestnut colt in the closing stages of the 5 1/2-furlong (1,100m) contest on Sunday (January 15, 2023).

“It [winning this way] wasn’t quite what we wanted but we’re delighted with the way he ran. He’s a lovely horse to have but you know in horseracing anything can happen so we don’t intend to rush him; we just want to take it one day and one race at a time,” Pearson said.

After finishing tops on his October 30 debut as a two-year-old over 4 1/2 furlongs, Rejected Raja returned to action a month and a half later on December 17 but turned in a dismal performance over 6 furlongs. He placed fifth by 11 lengths in that event which involved Flybluejet, who placed third. So, it was understandable why Flybluejet entered Sunday’s feature as the overwhelming favourite because the importee certainly brought the strongest form to the table and, as such, the four-horse race was expected to be a stroll.

However, Pearson clearly had other ideas and with the figure-8 on, Rejected Raja (Soul Warrior-Palace Gold) proved that he was right back to his best on this occasion.

Jockey Robert Halledeen decided he was going to play his hand first by getting Rejected Raja into his running early, but later relaxed his hand and opted to track Flybluejet (Reyan Lewis) for the remainder of the race from the half mile.

Approaching the homestretch, Lewis must have felt he had matters in his own hands as he rarely asked Flybluejet a question until Halledeen and a strongly urged Rejected Raja quickly joined them at the furlong pole from where an enthralling duel ensued.

During that battle Lewis and Flybluejet nudged Rejected Raja, who was tightly slotted on the inner rails, which caused a stewards’ inquiry to be called after Flybluejet held on to win by a neck.

Along with the inquiry, Halledeen also lodged a jockey’s objection and, after a brief wait, it was announced that the objection was upheld and the race awarded to Rejected Raja. Another American-bred horse, Sizzling Sista K (Raddesh Roman), was beaten 12 lengths back in third and Cosmic Force (Delroy Beharie), fourth. They completed the distance in 1:09.3 after splits of 24.2 and 48.3 seconds.

Pearson viewed the performance by the WB Racing-owned Rejected Raja as a revelation.

“He ran a much-improved race. I don’t know what happened to him the last time but obviously something went wrong. But, he came back, worked well, and we decided to try something different with the equipment change and he ran accordingly,” Pearson shared.

“We haven’t discussed any future plans yet, we’re just pleased with him today as he showed that he is a brave and determined horse. So, like I said, we will just take it one race at a time,” the soft-spoken trainer ended.