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The Laurie Laxon stable enters the Group 3 $150,000 Woodlands Classic Stakes over 1800m on the turf track on Sunday with a two pronged attack on the race.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Currently holidaying in his native New Zealand where his youngest son John was married last weekend and before attending the yearling sales at Karaka at the end of the month, Laxon has Dujardin and Devonshire engaged in the race.
They will be saddled by assistant-trainer Shane Ellis who helped steer the ship in the final stages of 2012 to land Laxon a seventh Trainer’s Premiership in Singapore.
Australian jockeys Danny Beasley (Dujardin) and newcomer Steven King (Devonshire) will team with the Kiwi mentor on Sunday.
Dujardin last raced when finishing sixth behind Lizarre in the Group 3 New Year Cup over 1900m on the Polytrack on January 1.
The gelding was beaten 5.4 lengths but pulled-up with respiratory distress after the event and was ordered to undergo a 1000m gallop and veterinary examination before being produced at the races again.
That gallop took place on January 12 and Ellis reported Dujardin had been given the all clear to take his place in Sunday’s race.
“They walked in the race last time and he didn’t get a lot of clear room last time but he pulled-up with respiratory distress and had to gallop before stewards and undergo a vet’s examination before he could race again,” said Ellis.
“He galloped alright the other day and was passed by the vet, so he deserves a shot at the race.
“The beauty with this horse is that he’s versatile. He’s won on both the Polytrack and the turf since he’s been up here and he’s won over distances ranging from 1400m to 1900m.”
Devonshire will be having his first start since finishing 13th behind Better Life in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup on November 11.
Ellis said the gelding was due to run at the final meeting of the 2012 season, but a foot issue put him on the sidelines.
He added that Devonshire was going to have a good spell following the Gold Cup but the gelding had recovered post-race quicker than what they had expected.
“The plan was to give him a good break after the Gold Cup but he came through the run in good order,” said Ellis.
“We gave him a week off after that run then got him swimming and doing a bit of work on the track.
"We were going to run him in a handicap race on the final day of last season, but he was pulled out with a foot issue.
"He hasn’t trialled for his return to racing and he may just need this run first-up at 1800m, but he’s a stayer and should be strong all the way to the line.”
Prior to his Singapore Gold Cup failure, Devonshire had been successful over 2000m and 2200m on the turf.