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Even-money favourite and newcomer Siam MP gave a major fright to connections and backers alike on Friday night when he went backwards instead of the other way at a crucial stage, but his undisputed talent eventually saved the day
Two winning barrier trials, albeit by razor-thin margins, were probably the main driving force behind his short odds in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m, but after showing the way rather comfortably, at the 300m, it looked like he should have saved his energy for the one that mattered.
The resuming Toosbies (Barend Vorster) was being hailed the winner as he collared a Siam MP whose engine had seemingly stalled.
Toosbies, on the other hand, was making headway with great resolve down the middle of the track, well on his way towards that elusive first win (after six vain attempts).
But Siam MP had not conceded defeat yet. Picking himself off the canvas, he rallied bravely under Glen Boss’s urgings to reclaim the advantage from his four-second conqueror before leaving him astern by 2 ¼ lengths.
Another debutant of Clements’, The Iceman (Vlad Duric), flew home late to grab third place another length away. A three-year-old by Majesticperfection, Siam MP clocked a time of 1min 11.21secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
Clements admitted to some jittery moments as he watched Siam MP not answering when popped the question in the home straight, but certainly liked the way he fought his way back from sure defeat.
As for the gelding’s edginess at the parade ring, the Zimbabwean-born conditioner did not see that as a cause for concern. If anything, it is the sign of a good horse.
“He was full of himself as he has been getting ready for three to four weeks,” said Clements.
“He’s not nasty, he’s just feeling great within himself, even if at home he can be a bit dangerous. He’ll be fine when he learns to settle down.
“He showed a lot of pace to come onto the rails (from a wide barrier). There were a few anxious moments at the 300m when he was not finding.
“But Glen was very patient with him and he responded very well in the end. He’s a pretty smart horse and has got a bit of speed.”
When asked if the Thai-owned gelding was of the same ilk as his smart three-year-old stablemates Siam Blue Vanda (three from four) Siam Vipasiri (two from five), Clements said he seems to share some similar traits.
“He’s an American-bred we bought from the breeze-ups in Florida. He’s six months younger than the other Siam’s, but I see no reason why he can’t be the same as them,” he said.
“Speaking of other three-year-olds, I was also happy with the runs of his two other stablemates (The Iceman in third and Magnum Force in fourth) today.”
Suitably impressed with Siam MP’s fighting spirit, Boss was also dismissive of his pre-race excess of energy, saying it was more mischief than anything else.
“He’s just a lad. He can be a bit excitable, but he ran great and did it with great vigour and power,” said the Australian jockey.
“He feels like he wants to wait for me to do something. Once I do, he finds three lengths.
“I think he’s got a nice future here.”