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The Tan Hor Khoon-trained Accomplished will face his biggest test by far in the $300,000 Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy over 1800m this Sunday
This is the first time that the Golden Snake four-year-old will be pitted against Group material and running over such a trip. Tan, who has had Accomplishment for only two runs for one win, admitted that stamina was the only query, but remained confident Accomplished can see it out.
“I hope he can run well this Sunday as it’s still a question mark whether he can handle the 1800m but I entered him because the owners wanted him to try,” said Tan.
“From my experience, looking at the way he ran at his last start, I doubt that the distance will be a problem for him.
“I was surprised that he won his last race (1400m race on July 3) as he just came back not long ago from a lengthy spell but he ran very well and that win showed that he was back on track.
“His full-brother Super Gold won the JBBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m, but that does not necessarily mean he will stay, but at least it gives a few hints he may.”
Besides the distance question mark, the strong field in the Chairman’s Trophy is the other source of worry, but Tan hoped that the work put into him would pay off.
“As this is the first time he’s facing such strong opponents, I can only pray that he will run well,” said the Singaporean handler.
“We have spent a lot of time preparing him for this and it is all up to him now to do his part. I hope that the conditions on that day will be favourable.”
In-form apprentice jockey Joseph See who has notched up three wins from five partnerships with Accomplished, is the logical choice of rider on Sunday.
“I’ve booked Joseph to ride him since he rode the horse before and knows him well. On the day itself, I will not give him any instructions,” said Tan.
If Accomplished runs well this weekend, doors to a loftier target may open up.
“If he runs well in the race, I will probably run him in a 2000m race next and see how he goes,” he said.
“If he takes everything in his stride I might then enter him in the Gold Cup at the end of the year.”
The Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) is the country’s most prestigious handicap race and is run on November 15.