Typically it doesn’t want a characteristic occasion to get racegoers excited.
Even a Class 3 dash can titillate. Supplied, after all, the contenders occur to be headstrong gallopers who’re wealthy in situation.
Just like the seven gallopers in that area of 9 who’re contesting the Class 3 dash over the 1,400m on Jan 27.
They had been all out on the coaching observe on Jan 23 and every appeared to have an agenda – like desirous to take dwelling the majority of the $70,000 prize cash on supply.
However we all know there can solely be one winner. So who’s it going to be?
Can Silo, Purple Dot or Trident proceed their profitable methods?
All gained at their final begins. Certainly, Silo is taking pictures for a hat-trick, having posted a race-to-race double earlier than coming into this.
As for Purple Dot and Trident, they, too, will probably be carrying profitable kind into the occasion.
And the work put in by this proficient trio appeared to recommend that they’re able to make a race of it.
Silo had Vad Duric doing the steering when working the 600m in 41.6sec.
Purple Dot cantered to loosen up earlier than racing over the identical journey in a pedestrian 45.4 however he was forcibly restrained.
Trident went quickest of the three, clocking 39.6 with Yusoff Fadzli within the saddle.
Nonetheless, therein lies a query mark – and it’s a huge one at that.
All three horses had been winners in Class 4. Can they climb up the ladder and do effectively in Class 3? Properly, all of them appear to hold the correct credentials.
Silo confirmed combating spirit when beating Sacred Buddy in a photograph end on Dec 9. And he adopted it up in type, coming from a spot in deep midfield to run down Makin on Dec 30.
Each races had been over the 1,200m and, on the energy of these victories, he must be in the correct state of mind to get that hat-trick.
That will probably be a great send-off current earlier than he heads for the wealthy pickings in Hong Kong.
As for Trident and Purple Dot, they each know that crucial spot on a racetrack is the end line.
Between them, they’ve been there six instances.
Trident, from Donna Logan’s yard, has gained 4 races from 14 begins, whereas Purple Dot has been profitable twice from simply 4 outings.
And right here is the clincher. Each Purple Dot and Trident have raced in Class 3 firm.
Earlier than that last-start success in Class 4 on Jan 4, Trident completed a smack-up fourth to Actual Efecto in a nine-horse Class 3 race over the mile.
He faces off with Actual Efecto on Jan 27 and he will probably be actually snug over the observe and journey.
As for Actual Efecto, he additionally labored effectively, working the 600m in 39.3 below Amirul Ismadi.
So far, he has gained six races for coach David Kok and there might be extra within the offing.
Again to Purple Dot, the Irish-bred is in a great place. Certain, the rise at school will demand much more from him however his latest showings, coupled together with his work on Jan 23, does appear to recommend good issues to return.
Purple Dot gained his final race on Dec 30 on the again of two profitable trials and Kok has not allowed him to relaxation on his laurels.
He set him to the trials on Jan 18 and Purple Dot got here via with flying colors. He handed his rivals a six-length beating.
Racing within the colors of Fortunate Secure, Purple Dot has what it takes to construct on his present credentials.
As for the opposite three runners who labored effectively forward of their Class 3 project, they, too, can’t be merely brushed apart.
Makin had Manoel Nunes within the saddle when working the 600m in a swift 35.1.
Stablemate Lim’s Craft took off and clocked 36.7 for a similar journey, whereas Ocean Crossing – although not as speedy – ran out the space in 43.2.
A four-year-old Australian-bred, Makin has only one win to point out from 9 begins and he’s one other one who should defy promotion to win.
Can he do it? Who’s to know? His final two begins in Class 4 had been greater than respectable showings. Each instances, he ran second – dropping out by a brief head to Ace Of Diamonds on Dec 17 after which overwhelmed by Silo on Dec 30.
Being promoted just isn’t ideally suited however, with simply 53kg on his again, he will probably be proper within the combine from go to whoa.
As for Ocean Crossing, he has “been there and completed that”. A seven-time winner from 42 begins, you simply by no means know when he’s going to pop up.
So toss him into these novelty bets. He might add juice to the payout.
brian@sph.com.sg
