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The wide gate in 11 has put a major dampener on Winning Hobby’s chances in Sunday’s $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m, but trainer Kuah Cheng Tee is still hoping the US-bred can overturn the handicap.
The son of Congrats (US shuttle stallion better known at Kranji for his Australian-breds like Singapore Derby winner Jupiter Gold) would have been unbeaten in two starts if not for an extremely combative Fame Star (Vlad Duric) denying him by a short head at his second run in a Novice race over 1200m on February 17.
Winning Hobby’s task looks more daunting on paper as he is also taking on better cattle but Kuah is more concerned about the awkward alley.
“Barrier 11 is no good. He’s a horse with good gate speed, so that will make it tough for him,” said the former jockey.
“It’s not really a very strong field but it’s still tougher in Class 4, but we’ll still give it a try.
“Last time he ran a close second in a very good Novice race with horses like Fame Star and Mo Almighty. His work has been good, I hope he is okay and can measure up.”
Unlike the first two outings, it won’t be Azhar Ismail doing the steering given the veteran Malaysian jockey’s work permit has hit another snag.
“Azhar was supposed to ride him but he’s sorting his work permit issue again and can’t ride until it’s fixed,” said Kuah.
“I was thinking of then booking Benny Woodworth but he’s on another horse (Super Talent). Ben Thompson will ride him in the end and I hope they can make it for the new owner (Winning Hobby Stable), who is a very nice person.
“I bought the horse for him from the breeze-ups in the US.”
Kuah would not cross the line in so far as declaring the gelding a Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge contender, but is not ruling it out either.
“Let’s see how he runs this Sunday. If he is good enough, then I may consider,” he said.
The 3YO series kicks off with the Group 3 JBBA Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on April 5, followed by the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on May 3 and the grand final, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 25.