Punters were dealt a big jolt at Kranji on Friday when rank-outsider Stealth lived up to his name to sneak in under the radar in Race 7.

Winless for more than a year, the Bruce Marsh-trained galloper was widely friendless in the market of the $125,000 Open Class race (1800m), with the likes of Waipapa, Ricoco and Desert Links drawing all the attention.

But an upset was on the cards when the race was run at a dawdling pace from the off, with none of the seven runners keen to lead.

In the end it was left to Ricoco to take the helm, but jockey Robbie Fradd soon put on the handbrakes, with the effect Waipapa (Joao Moreira) was seen pulling double on the outside, with Stealth the meat in the sandwich.

The pace was still slow until the home turn when the leading pack set sail for home. Ricoco put up a meek resistance to eventually run last, while Stealth headed for home with Waipapa in hot pursuit, and the rest struggling to keep in touch.

Waipapa levelled up with Moreira riding with his usual vigour, but showing a poise and judgement beyond his years, Barnabas extracted the last bit of breath left in his mount to thwart the hotpot’s challenge.

Stealth pinned back his ears, responding with gusto to regain the lead and hold a short head margin over Waipapa on the line. Desert Links (Barend Vorster) ran third another 1 ¾ lengths away.

“I was lucky. The slow pace suited him, and with the light weight he just kept giving when the other horse came alongside,” said Barnabas, who continues to stamp himself as one of the better apprentice jockeys at Kranji.

Marsh was not completely surprised by the win which repaid the few faithfuls of the Sakura Seeking seven-year-old with a whopping $319, though he had all along thought Waipapa would be a few lengths better.

“He’s been working very well and I did tell the owner he would run a huge race, but honestly I thought he’d run second to Waipapa,” said Marsh.

“The rest of the runners were out of form. The good gate and the drop in weight – he’s not a big horse - were other contributing factors.

“Plus the fact the apprentice rated him very well in this slowly-run race. Everything fell into place for him tonight.”

Stealth is raced by the AJ Racing Stable, who has now picked up another winning cheque to bring his prizemoney tally past a handy half-million dollars.