SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
So far none of the overseas contingent has worked under the supervision of their trainers, but their preparation towards Sunday’s Singapore Airlines International Cup and KrisFlyer International Sprint has still gone on unabated and without a hitch.
Trackwatchers finally got to see English raider Wigmore Hall being put through his paces for his first serious hitout after overcoming a slight hiccup with a front shoe on Monday. The Group 2 Jebel Hatta (1800m) winner looked well within himself and would have certainly pleased connections with his output on the Polytrack.
Group 1 SIA Cup 2009 runner-up and 2011 Group 1 Dubai Duty Free winner Presvis turned up the heat with his first workout on the grass since arriving in Singapore on Sunday. All looks well for the Luca Cumani-trained galloper for his bid to make it at his third attempt.
Among the local contenders, the pairing of Waikato and Risky Business on the turf track caught the eye with the former performing just a shade better. Waikato’s owner-trainer Laurie Laxon had every reason to be all smiles after the hitout.
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SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP
Chinchon (FRA) – Carlos Laffon-Parias
Hacked on Polytrack over 1000m.
“He refused to head out to the track this morning,” said Stephane Laurent Duprey, groom and track rider to trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. “He did eventually when someone came along and led him out, and we just had a nice hack over 1000m afterwards.
“I wished I had a pony like in the US. It’s not a great game when you need to coax your horse to work like that.”
Royal Bench (FRA) – Robert Collet
Hacked on Polytrack over 800m.
“He just did a bit of hacking over 800m today,” said the entire’s groom Nadege Ouakli.
“He is getting better and better.”
Gitano Hernando (SA) – Herman Brown
Cantered on Polytrack. Parade ring schooling.
“He’s a happy and fit horse. The rider told me he was pulling a fair bit,” said assistant-trainer to Herman Brown, Nicolas Iguacel.
“I don’t think he will go back on the grass. He’s done enough work now and we will just keep him ticking over until raceday.”
River Jetez (SA) – Mike de Kock
Remained in the quarantine stable following turf work on Tuesday. Walked and trotted in the trotting ring at the stable.
“She’s fine today and earned a day off after her work on Tuesday,” said assistant trainer Trevor Brown. “It’s all sytems go now.
“She pulled up a treat after her gallop yesterday. She’s fit enough and she might just have a short piece of work tomorrow (Thursday).
“I can’t really compare her with Lizard’s Desire (2010 SIA Cup winner) as they’re two different horses, but she has done a great job here.
“She is a typical filly and can be quite temperamental while Lizard’s Desire was a solid genuine type who always tried his best.
“The jockey (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) arrived this morning and will ride her tomorrow morning.
“I think it is going to be a very competitive race and there are a lot in there with chances.
“It just depends who is on the top of their game after Dubai and Hong Kong – Presvis is Presvis, and we know all about him.
“Wigmore Hall has a chance on his Dubai run. Frankie’s horse (Calvados Blues) ran well enough last time – it is wide open.”
Irian (HK) – John Moore
One-and-a-half lap canter on the Polytrack.
“It was the same as yesterday,” said George Moore, son and bloodstock manager of trainer John Moore.
“Dad comes in later today and we will probably give him a gallop tomorrow. The farrier puts on his aluminium racing plates today as well.
“He’s eating well and everything has gone smoothly so far.”
California Memory (HK) – Tony Cruz
Canter one-and-a-half laps on the Polytrack.
“He was a bit stubborn going onto the Polytrack but once he was there he was good,” said track rider Chan Ka Bo.
“The trainer will be here later today and he will gallop tomorrow.
“So far I’m very happy with him.”
Presvis (GB) – Luca Cumani
Gallop on grass, running the last 600m in 37.8 seconds.
“He had an easy gallop over six (furlongs) on the grass and I was very happy with that,” said assistant-trainer Charlie Henson.
“I would say he’s about the same as how he was last year and the previous year when he came for the SIA Cup.
“It will be canter tomorrow and we’ll see how he is before deciding if he needs any more work.”
Wigmore Hall (GB) – Michael Bell
“We had a bit of a scare (when he pulled a shoe on Monday) but he’s all good now,” said Gillian Dolman, travelling head lass for trainer Michael Bell after his first Kranji workout.
“He was fine, no problem at all. If anything he was a little fresh after his day off yesterday, but I’m happy enough with him now.
“I’m going to put on these overreach boots on him now – just to be safe.
“We gave him a nice canter on the all-weather and he worked very well.
“He seems a little more settled here than he was in Hong Kong, and I think the left-handed track here will suit him better.
“He was still looking around a fair bit, as he is the type of horse who likes company. He settled in well in Dubai but not at all in Hong Kong for some reason.
“They went at a crawl in the race (APQEII Cup) and it didn’t suit him at all.
“I will leave it to the Governor (Bell) to decide if he needs a faster workout here.
“He has already done one or two bits of work in Hong Kong before he got here. I rode him there and in Dubai but (Luca Cumani’s assistant-trainer) Charlie (Henson) told us I would be better off getting another rider here while I look after the horse.”
Calvados Blues (UAE) – Mahmoud Al Zarooni
Frankie Dettori’s mount in Sunday’s SIA Cup had a steady canter.
Travelling head lad Andrea Mascolo reported that everything was well with the five-year-old son of Lando.
“He’s travelled well, and I am happy with him,” said Mascolo. “He had a short rest after the Dubai Sheema Classic run on World Cup night and then we started building him up again for this.
“I think he’s as well, if not better, now than he was then. He’s a versatile horse and you can ride him anyway, so if there was no pace it wouldn’t worry me to see him up there on the lead.
“He had a one-and-a-half lap nice canter this morning. Nice proper exercise and he concentrated today, not looking around.”
Risky Business (SG) – Steven Burridge
Working off from the 2000m, speeding up from 1200m to a strong gallop over final 600m
“Overall it was a nice enough gallop,” said jockey Glen Boss. “He’s healthy and well but realistically I think he needs a bit of rain.
“There are some quality gallopers from overseas here and I think some of them may be a bit too strong for him.”
Waikato (SG) – Laurie Laxon
Working off from the 2000m, speeding up from 1200m to a strong gallop over final 600m
“He’s feeling good and he gave me a really good feel this morning,” said jockey Joao Moreira.
“I feel like he’s going to run a really good race. What he showed me today was just nice as he travelled on the bit the whole way.
“It is very tough competition but he knows this track better than anyone else.”
KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT
Green Birdie (HK) – Caspar Fownes
One round on the Polytrack.
“He feels great. We just went slowly to allow him to stretch his legs,” said track rider and travelling assistant Dale Bussey.
“He feels bright and well and all we have to do is keep him ticking over until raceday.”
Trainer Caspar Fownes does not arrive until raceday.
Sacred Kingdom (HK) – Ricky Yiu
New race jockey Glen Boss got his first feel of Sacred Kingdom.
“He’s loose and free and there is plenty of energy there,” said Boss. “He just oozes quality.”
Trainer Ricky Yiu is due into Singapore on Wednesday to oversee Sacred Kingdom’s final workout.
“I think he’s looking for some fast work,” said Boss. “He felt great out there this morning.
“He’s in great order.”
Happy Dubai (UAE) – Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Half-pace on the Polytrack.
“I’m happy with Happy Dubai,” said assistant trainer Ghulam Jelani Siddiqui.
“He did half-pace on the Polytrack and it was nice work. He’s doing well, weighing 472 kg, which is a good weight for him.
“His jockey Royston Ffrench maybe will ride him in work tomorrow and then maybe in his last bit on Friday.
“I’m happy with how things have progressed so far.”
Better Be The One (SG) – Michael Freedman
“He had a nice gallop over 800m on the Polytrack, stretching out very nice. That will do it,” said trainer Michael Freedman.
“He doesn’t need a gallop on the grass as he’s raced on that surface before. He’ll swim tomorrow and do just some light work on Friday.
“I would say he has come on further since the Lion City Cup (when second to Rocket Man), quite similar to what he was in Dubai. His body weight is spot-on.
“We’ve done all we can and it’s now down to him. Hopefully we can get through to the race in one piece.”
Capablanca (SG) – Don Baertschiger
“Day off for him today. He went for a swim,” said trainer Don Baertschiger.
“Everything is right on target for him.”
Eclair Fastpass (SG) – Desmond Koh
Galloped over 600m on the Polytrack.
“He felt very strong and gave me a good feel. I had him on the bit and just slipped him some reins after the winning post,” said jockey Jose Verenzuela.
“He’s ready for the big race.”
Rocket Man (SG) – Patrick Shaw
After working yesterday, Rocket Man was just taken for a hand walk.
