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Trainer Daniel Meagher is banking on a prior exposure to older horses to put D’Great Star in good stead for a forward run in the $90,000 Ready2Race Stakes (1200m) on Sunday, but is also mindful that two-year-old scampers can also be a different ball game.
The Sidereus two-year-old made his Kranji debut in an Open Maiden race over 1100m on May 21, going for frontrunning tactics, and nearly pulled it off only to be caught late by favourite Secret Squirrel.
He had only 50kgs on his back – hence lightweight jockey Saifudin Ismail taking the ride since jockey Danny Beasley could not make such a weight – but will carry 55kgs on level terms with the other two-year-olds in the fourth Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series.
Beasley will get to sit on him this time, but to Meagher, the one factor which might set the cat among the pigeons is the expected helter-skelter pace of a typical juvenile race in all its raw power.
“He was the only two-year-old at his last race whereas he will meet all two-year-olds this Sunday,” said the Australian second-year trainer.
“It’s a different type of pressure in a two-year-old race. Most two-year-olds are quick, otherwise it wouldn’t be a two-year-old race.
“My horse had a softer lead while Yaya Papaya came off a hot speed in a high-pressure race to win. Until they become seasoned animals, they want to go this way and that’s why we always get a different winner unless you are Super One (had no peers in the 2015 season with four wins from as many starts).
“In saying this, my horse actually ran quicker time than in the two-year-old race. That’s good obviously that he ran time at his first race.
“My horse went very well first-up, he really rolled along, but the winner Secret Squirrel goes real good, too. Don’t underestimate that horse as he quickened really well in the straight.”
Meagher said he was pleased with the way the gelding owned by a Malaysian, Mr Tang Tiang Pong, has come along since his debut run.
“He’s a really nice horse and has done nothing wrong since he’s been with us, and since his last run. Whether he has improved remains to be seen,” he said.
“He was a bit heavy when he first came to us as a colt and that’s why we gelded him. He is owned by a very good client in Malaysia.
“I’m happy with the way he has come through and I think he will definitely become a very nice horse down the line.”
But without getting too ahead of himself, Meagher is looking for answers from Sunday’s race in terms of his potential.
“He galloped very well the other day. Dan rode him in his trials, but couldn’t ride him at his first run, obviously with the 50kgs, but will ride him this Sunday,” he said.
“It’s a very strong race. There are a couple of horses who stand out and I have a lot of respect for a handful of those I saw at the trials, but all in all they are all really nice types of horses, which is a credit to Singapore for the very good bunch of two-year-olds we have this year.
“Whether my horse can handle the pressure is the key. It’s a bit like a lottery these two-year-old races.
“The barrier is a main concern. He drew 10 at his debut, but this is a different speedmap, they will go crazy once they jump. I hope he draws a good gate.
“It’s also his first time on grass, but it is the same for the others, too. We’re all in the same boat.
“It’s a two-year-old race, the prizemoney is outstanding and that’s why we went for that race. I hope he’s good enough to win it.”
Meagher did not fail to mention about another Tang-owned newcomer who has yet to be shod into his racing plates, but needs to get his barrier manners down pat first – D'Great Pride. Here, he heaped praise on the dint of hard work put in by jockey Oscar Chavez to reschool the Manhattan Rain three-year-old.
“Oscar has spent two weeks on D’Great Pride. I would like to really thank him for taking the time out on his day, not to mention in the hot heat to ride this horse,” he said.
“He can be quite a dangerous horse, very untrustworthy, but I’ve seen an amazing difference in his behaviour since Oscar took over. He is the best horseman I know in Singapore.
“The horse has really changed and he is a lot more professional now. He will probably have his first run in three to four weeks’ time.”