3 minute read
Trainer Michael Clements has given Drone a ringing endorsement after he touted the son of Golden Archer as one of the “better two-year-olds” he’s ever had under his care.
The Thai-owned colt will be the Zimbabwean-born handler’s only runner in the first Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the $90,000 Kranji Nursery Stakes (1000m) this Friday.
After making all on debut in a Restricted Maiden race for two-year-olds over 1000m on April 27, Drone will be along with the Hideyuki Takaoka-trained Giant Killing - who ran third to Drone at odds on debut – the only two runners with racing experience. The other 10 will be at their maiden race.
Drone is also the only rated runner on 52 points, which means he will shoulder the top weight of 57kgs and will give weight all round.
While unraced two-year-olds can be tricky to assess, some like Ricardo Le Grange’s pair of Pennywise and Streetwise or Donna Logan’s Makkem Lad had shown some ability in their barrier trials.
But there is no better proof of ability than in actual race conditions, and Clements not only holds that advantage with Drone, but he has also detected further improvement on the training tracks.
“He has strengthened up since his last run. I feel he’s also improved off that run,” said Clements.
“His gallops have been very pleasing. He’s a simple straightforward horse to train, does whatever you want him to do.
“I would say he is one of the better two-year-olds I’ve had. He is quite a scopey horse and I think he will go through as a three-year-old.”
Drone will again be ridden by his debut winning partner Glen Boss.
The Singapore Golden Horseshoe series is made up of five Legs and culminates with the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) on July