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Glen Boss has put his hand up for the ride on Chairman hoping the new association can lead to bigger and better things down the road.
The Australian jockey has never ridden the Irish-bred son of Galileo, but sure recognises quality when he sees any.
The Thai-owned five-year-old was considered a leading Singapore Gold Cup hope after two strong wins over 2000m at Kranji and a close second to Secret Win in the Group 3 El Dorado Classic last year, but unfortunately, he did not make the cut given his rating of 74 points was not enough to see him through.
Unable to change the way things were, trainer Lee Freedman ran him in a Class 3 race over 1600m the following week and he duly obliged, even if the mile is not his pet trip.
The seven furlongs of the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race on Friday night may not be right up his alley, but Boss would not be surprised if he still bobs up nonetheless.
“1400m is short of his best, but good stayers sprint well when fresh,” said the three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.
“At his last start, he won over the mile with a big weight. He’s got class this horse.
“And at five, he is still a lightly-raced horse with only 14 races here. He has more scope for improvement.
“It’s a pity he didn’t run in the Gold Cup. He would have gone in with no weight on his back. He would have been one of the top four or five picks, but I’m not sure if he could have won.”
Boss said Freedman has brought him back to his best after the December break.
“Lee is a great trainer of stayers and he has done a good job with this horse,” said Boss.
“I galloped him a couple of days ago and he felt very good. He’s a lovely horse and I thought I would try and get on him now as I think he’s a horse who is still improving and has the potential to make it to the higher level.”
Chairman, who was known as Cole Porter when a one-time winner in Ireland (2400m) for the powerful Coolmore outfit and champion trainer Aiden O’Brien in Ireland, shoulders only 52kgs this time.
He will, however, face some serious opponents like Gilt Complex, Majestic Moments and the up-and-coming Eclipse Splash.
If Boss can find the shortest way home on Chairman, he would certainly hope the win can give him the boost he currently needs. The Australian Hall of Fame jockey, who was sporting the Australian Day silks (Australian flag) used for their National Day on January 26 at Thursday’s barrier trials, only opened his 2018 account last Sunday aboard Millennium’s Rule.
“It’s been a slow start. I had a good December break catching up with my kids, but I was suspended for the first couple of meetings,” he said.
“But I am sure things can only improve from now on. I am focused on racing here and don’t think I will be riding back home (Australia) as often as last year.”