3 minute read

Patience has been wearing thin for the connections of the talented but tricky Galvarino, but trainer Alwin Tan can only hope the worst was behind them.

Kranji sat up and took notice when the son of Stryker nearly upstaged favourite Lim’s Lightning in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) at his second start.

But unfortunately his racing antics have eclipsed that one good note since then.

Galvarino was a hot favourite when he next came out at his first start as a three-year-old in a Restricted Maiden race over 1100m on September 21, but he threw it all away from the start when he inexplicably decided to take a scenic tour on the outside rails.

Such a costly failure could only spell a return back to school at the barriers.

Galvarino, however, blew hot and cold. He would be on his best behaviour at one only to go back to his old tricks at the next.

In the end, those mood swings of his required seven barrier trials. At his second-last, it was back to the drawing board when he pulled wide again with his track rider even losing his irons, but he was much better at his last one on January 10 when he stayed on course for third to Yulong Shengdao even after jumping from an outside gate.

“The horse has improved. It’s not been easy, we had to be very patient with him, and here I have to thank the owners (IB Racing Stable) for their patience and understanding,” said Tan.

“Sometimes he’s okay and then he does the same thing. We had to change his headgear a few times, too.

“He hasn’t raced for nearly six months, but he’s had a lot of barrier practice. I think he’s fit enough to make his comeback.

“Fingers crossed, he goes straight on Friday. If he draws an inside gate, it’ll be better as the horses on the outside will then keep him on the inside.”

Tan said the long time away from racing was not only due to his racing quirks.

“It’s not easy to find a race for him. This race on Friday should be ideal for him,” he said.

“Troy See doesn’t ride him in his barrier trials. He let me do my job, but he will be riding him on Friday.”

Tan would prefer to see how Galvarino behaves on Friday before committing to any future plans. He is certainly more confident to talk up the chances of another horse he saddles on Sunday – Wolf Warrior.

The US-bred son of Midnight Lute has suddenly hit his straps since moving to Tan’s yard with two wins from three starts under his care.

A struggler in Restricted Maiden company last year, Wolf Warrior is a different proposition altogether this prep.

He was extremely impressive at his last-start win in a Class 4 race over 1100m on February 1 when again partnered by Noh Senari. The same association first teamed up on New Year’s Day for a slashing six-length win in an Open Maiden race over 1200m.

Tan has singled out the Chin Heng Stable-owned gelding as one with a lot of upside, which he hopes to see him through in the $70,000 Kranji Stakes C Division 2 race over 1000m.

“Wolf Warrior is a Polytrack type of horse and will be up in class this Sunday,” said Tan.

“He has to take on better horses if we want him to go to the next level. He’s very well and I hope he can run well.

“S Noh knows him inside out. It’s a tougher race but I think he can measure up.”

After picking up a seven-point penalty after his last-start win, Wolf Warrior will now be pitted against handy Class 3 gallopers such as Nova Vocal, Mr Luck, not forgetting five-time Canadian winner Elite Conquest who will finally get to make his Singapore debut following a withdrawal due to a ratings irregularity two weeks ago.