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Last year this time, trainer Michael Freedman held a vice-like grip on the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge with Super Easy having already bagged the first Leg with consummate ease, and looking a moral for the Triple Crown – which he eventually completed to earn the undisputed title of 3YO champion.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
One year on, things are not as “easy” with the Australian finding himself more as a challenger in this year’s series despite having no shortage of talent in his current batch of three-year-olds. The first Leg, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) run three weeks ago, went to the Sonny Yeoh-trained Stepitup while Super Good did the best from Freedman’s trio, which also comprised Ronnie Brown and Cavallo, by running a closing third.
The second Leg, the $350,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) will be run this Sunday, and again, Freedman will issue a three-pronged attack with Super Good, the sole survivor from the first Leg, teamed up this time round with recent 1400m (short course) record holder Super Ninetyseven and honest sort Empire Bay.
Freedman, who returned from the Inglis Easter Yearlings sale in Sydney last Friday, could not fault the preparation of his three runners, hopeful one of them can be the one to foil Stepitup’s plans of a cleansweep.
“Obviously Stepitup will be hard to beat on his current form, but all my three horses have come through their last starts very well,” said Freedman.
“Super Ninetyseven broke the record at his last run, but that was the first opportunity he’s had on a firmer track as he’s met mainly soft and yielding tracks before. I think that played a big part in the record time.
“In saying this, he seems to be improving. We skipped the first Leg as it was too sharp for him and the 1400m should be more his go.
“Super Good was not far behind the first and second horse in the first Leg. He ran a closing third and I think he was worth trying over 1400m.
“I think he will also appreciate a firmer track. He’s always been thereabouts in the Two-Year-Old Series and he’s come back as a nice three-year-old.
“As for Empire Bay, I had already discussed with (owner) Bernard (Lee) that the first Leg would be too sharp and he would be better suited over 14 and wait for the 14 (Classic distance).
“He’s done nothing wrong and is a very good competitor on his day. It will be interesting to see how he performs at that level.
“Sunday's race will tell me where all three are at before deciding who presses on for the (Group 1) Singapore Guineas (1600m) in four weeks' time (May 17).”
While Freedman has booked regular partner Joao Moreira for Super Ninetyseven in the Classic, he is keeping last-race partner Manoel Nunes on Empire Bay (when second to Shaolin Soldier) and has elected for Danny Beasley for a first link-up with Super Good.
“Though I’ve never ridden Super Good before, I’ve always followed his career as he’s by Fastnet Rock and that always creates a bit of interest,” said Beasley who resumes from a two-day suspension on Sunday.
“He’s always been consistent and the only times he’s been out of the placings, he’s had excuses. His run in the first Leg was super and I couldn’t be happier with this ride in the 3YO race.”
Moreira was certainly matching Beasley for confidence, but it was not so much Super Ninetyseven’s record-smashing run that had him gushing over the chestnut.
“Yes, he ran a great time as they really rolled along in front. But to me, the main thing I take away from that race was he was racing against a much more experienced field,” said Moreira.
“The way he beat them tells me he will do very well on Sunday.”
While Freedman’s yard is brimming with so many proven talents, the Australian could only keep his fingers crossed his latest three purchases from the Sydney yearling sale would show the same promise one day.
“Ask me if they’re any good in two years’ time,” he quipped when asked how they were.
“I bought three colts, one is by Snitzel who is a proven sire, another one by first-season sire Denman, and the last one is by Medaglia D’Oro, unknown in the Southern Hemisphere, but who I was told has the highest runners-to-stakes winners ratio in America.
“I bought all three for the China Horse Club. They are a bunch of owners in China who are behind the building of a new racetrack in Tianjin.
“They are very excited about the idea of racing horses in, not only Singapore, but also Australia and Europe, namely France. I already have two unraced horses for them, with one by Testa Rossa.”