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Fastnet Dragon’s Kranji Mile run may have been lacklustre, but trainer Stephen Gray has advised not to dismiss his new charge as a Singapore Gold Cup prospect too hastily.
The New Zealand handler was the first to admit he was expecting better from the son of Fastnet Rock in the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) last Sunday week. After racing handy for Vlad Duric in the early stages, the six-year-old gelding stayed one-paced when the question was popped, weakening out of it to finish last to Debt Collector.
The Kranji Mile is the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series which also consists of the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) on October 30 and the Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on November 20.
Last year, the China-owned galloper turned in top-draw performances when he went close in the last two Legs, running second to Stepitup and Cooptado respectively, but he has not quite replicated that form since.
Still, going with Fastnet Dragon’s first run under his charge in a Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m on September 25 when he made some ground late to finish eighth, only four lengths off the winner War Affair, Gray thought the longer trip second-up would work out well.
Gray said that the run from the previously Leslie Khoo-trained galloper was “disappointing” on face value, but he has now come up with a Plan B in a bid to salvage the situation. The first step is to skip the Raffles Cup.
“We thought after his first run over 1400m, he would go better second-up. We also put the blinkers back on just to sharpen him up,” said Gray.
“Obviously, the connections and myself were a bit disappointed with the run. He did not finish it off, he just didn’t cop it.
“But then again, he was going into a hot mile like that, I think he was not ready for a pressure race like the Kranji Mile. When he won over the mile last year, he was in lower grade and didn’t beat much.
“He’s a natural stayer, and I think he needs the two turns. He is also more of a handicapper, and that’s why I will bypass the Raffles Cup and go for the Kranji Stakes A race over the mile on November 6 instead.
“It will be back to a handicap scenario, and I’m confident he can do better. I could have run him in the 2200m race (El Dorado Classic on November 30) which is also a handicap, but I would rather step him back to something easier.
“Hopefully, he’ll come back with fresh legs going into the Gold Cup.”
Gray said he would have pulled the pin on the Gold Cup campaign if he felt he was not going well, but felt there was still room for another roll of the dice.
“We had him checked after his last run, and he was absolutely fine. He pulled up well and was jumping out of his skin,” he said.
“I just can’t fault him. If there was something wrong, it would be better to stop, but he’s fine and we should give him another chance.
“It’s still a learning curve with him as he just came to us, but all’s not lost.”
One element which will be pulled out of the equation at Fastnet Dragon’s next run and possibly future endeavours, is the rider.
“Vlad has decided to jump off. He believes he may get a better horse in the Gold Cup, and that’s fair enough,” he said.
“It’s Danny Beasley who will ride Fastnet Dragon next. I know he’s War Affair’s rider in the Gold Cup, but let’s take it one race at a time.”
If there is another horse Gray has taken over halfway but can now size up a lot better, it is honest sprinter Raise No Doubt, a seven-time winner (four under his care while the first three came for Leticia Dragon) who will run in the $125,000 Landex Cup (1200m) this Sunday.
“It’s a good race for him. He’s going all right and we will put the blinkers back on,” he said.
“He wore them in a barrier trial last Tuesday (October 11) and he won well. We don’t want the others to give him a headstart, as he could get out of his ground.
“If all goes well, he will be going for the EW Barker Trophy (November 18).”
The Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) of two years ago is a race Gray won’t forget. Born To Fly captured the handicap race on Gray’s 50th birthday, which is on November 9.
“It’d be nice to win it again even if it’s not on my birthday this year,” said the father of two.
“Time flies, I’m going to be 52 this year but, I don’t feel it at all. I’m doing okay at this caper and I’m enjoying my time in Singapore.”