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Assistant-trainer Samantha Hill hopes Hughsy will bounce back to his best this year.
Trainer David Hill’s daughter said the son of Henny Hughes has greatly benefitted from his three-month break since his unplaced run in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) last November. The chestnut gelding will resume in the $100,000 Open Benchmark 97 race over 1400m on Friday.
Hughsy was one of Hill’s most exciting staying prospects as an early four-year-old in 2014, coming off the back of three wins over 1400m with the Singapore Derby written all over him.
Three more wins, all over the mile in the run-up to the 2000m showpiece, cemented that impression further, especially his slashing win in the Group 3 Admiralty Classic Stakes under Corey Brown.
But Hughsy did not quite live up to that form in the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, failing at all three Legs, more crucially in the Derby itself, which was always seen as the Leg with the most suitable trip for him.
He was then backed off before being aimed at the Gold Cup, but the results again fell short of the lofty expectations.
Hill (Sam) said it could be the tough campaign towards both the Derby and the Gold Cup that might have taken its toll on the Ace-In-The-Hole galloper.
“I don’t think he was ready for the 2200m of the Gold Cup last year,” said Hill.
“For the Derby, he had to be prepped up for six months leading up to a very tough race in July. It’s not easy for a four-year-old to go through such a testing campaign.
“He’s come through well during the break, though. I was very happy with his barrier trial last Thursday (February 4).”
With Hill’s apprentice jockey and race-rider Wong Chin Chuen up, Hughsy dropped off the early blistering pace set by Nova Warrior (Elione Chaves) before taking closer order three wide as they approached the home turn, but not ridden out at any stage.
While apprentice jockey Rueven Ravindra was seen scrubbing up Valbuena for a strong push to get the measure of Nova Warrior inside the last 200m, Hughsy just slid up to the fighting duo virtually untested, happy to coast to third place half-a-length astern.
“Friday’s race over 1400m is perfect for a return and will give us a good guide where he is at. He’s a good horse and I hope we can have fun with him again this year,” said Hill.