3 minute read
Trainer Steven Burridge will take a two-pronged attack in Sunday’s $100,000 Kranji Stakes a race (1200m) and hopes either Ghalib or Asif can beat a field that includes the progressive Pacific Vampire.
Ghalib looked the most likely to continue his impressive run of form that included a third in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on 28 July, but given the race conditions on Sunday, the top weight of 58kgs seemed a tough ask.
Polytrack specialist Major King and the dangerous Pacific Vampire, both trained by leading handler Jason Ong, will carry only 53.5kgs and 52kgs respectively. Interestingly, trainer Ricardo Le Grange's Group 2 Singapore Guineas winner (1600m), Ace Of Diamonds, will run with 49kgs.
Burridge is respectful of the oppositions, but he also hope history can repeat itself and another one of his Al-Arabiya Stable runners can 'slay the vampire', just as Ejaz did back in a Class 3 race (1000m) on 13 July.
"It looked like an even race at the weights, doesn't it?" said the Australian handler.
"At first glance, Pacific Vampire looked well in with 52kgs after his good win last start (in a Class 3 race over 1200m on 11 August).
"But we beat him with Ejaz a few starts back and Ghalib certainly warrants carrying top weight given his race record.
"I think he has a 50% winning record (seven wins from 14 starts in Singapore) and you just have to look at the horses he has been racing against of late to know he is top class.
"They were the two Lim's horses (Lim's Kosciuszko and Lim's Saltoro) and Golden Monkey in similar races to this, so that form holds up."
Burridge was quick to add the five-year-old son of I Am Invincible needed to win a race like this as time is running out in Singapore and Ghalib is in tip-top shape now.
"He's (Ghalib) jumping out of his skin," he said.
"(Jockey) Manoel (Nunes) will give him a strong gallop tomorrow. He needs that as he's a gross horse; a good eater, so he needs the work.
"No doubt he will show his best. With Pacific Vampire likely to lead and a few of the others likely to drop off, Manoel should get him up there early and have every chance.
"It'd be nice if he can win this race as there would be probably only one more race for him before we shut down (last meeting on 5 October).
"It's a shame he only has two races left in Singapore, but it is what it is."
Of his other runner, Burridge thought Asif will be competitive with no weight but has yet to pick a jockey for the six-year-old son of Per Incanto.
"Not sure who will ride him (Asif)," mused the trainer.
"But I will chat to (owner) Mansoor (Gandhi) before we decide and maybe put an apprentice (jockey) on.
"It's a step up from Class 3 but some of his (Asif) Polytrack form were pretty good. I think his last win was on the Polytrack in a Class 3 race (28 October), so he should be competitive with 50.5kgs on his back.
"His last run was good too, considering he was second-up after a long break.
"So, he will race himself into good form and third-up in a race like this with no weight looks a fair race for him.
"Given his rating (75 points), Asif has plenty of options going forward. He can still race in Class 3, so hopefully a few more runs in the next two months and he can win one or two."
With only seven race meetings left in Singapore, Burridge added all was well with his four Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) nominees, namely Makin, Mr Black Back, Cavalry and City Gold Farewell.
"They're all ticking over nicely," he said.
"At this stage, Makin (x Written Tycoon), Mr Black Back (x Snitzel) and Cavalry (x Tavistock) will all have a run in the (Group 1) (Queen Elizabeth II) QEII Cup (1800m), but that's obviously a tougher race at weight-for-age (conditions).
"But like a few other runners in the race, my trio will use it (QEII Cup) as a good lead-up race to the (Grand Singapore) Gold Cup, where we all get a chance at the handicaps.
"It will be interesting to see the final field (of the Grand Singapore Gold Cup), but you would presume Lim's Kosciuszko would be there, so all my runners would be near the minimum (weight of 50kgs).
"It's sad that it's (Singapore racing) coming to a close but at least the (Grand Singapore) Gold Cup gives us something to aim for."
The QEII Cup will be run on 7 September while the Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be held on the finale meeting on 5 October.