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Ming Zhi Cosmos and My Option, two of seven overseas China Horse Club horses who made their Kranji debut in this year’s $3.05 million CECF Singapore Cup on February 22, were put through their first barrier trials as locally-based gallopers on Tuesday.
Not seen since that run where the former French-based Ming Zhi Cosmos ran third while the US-trained My Option finished fifth, the pair seems to have held up their form after their rest, as evidenced by their third and fourth placings respectively in the trial. They are now handled by Kranji trainer Michael Freedman, who took over the pair from French brothers Nicolas and Christophe Clement respectively.
The Australian trainer is still learning about his new recruits but seemed pleased with their progress so far.
“They trialled nicely and their fitness levels are nearly there,” said Freedman.
“Their fitness should be at their peak by then and they seem to have acclimatised further. I plan to race them in a 1400m race in two to three weeks’ time
“I don’t have any major plans for them as yet but we will see how they go.”
Apart from Ming Zhi Cosmos and My Option, the other CHC horses who stayed in Singapore to continue their racing career are the CECF Singapore Cup winner Parranda herself, second-placed Zululand and Summer Surprice, all of whom also joined Freedman’s yard.
“All of them have settled in well and done well since they came out of quarantine. The remaining three will have their barrier trials next week,” he said.
Big things are expected of Parranda, with Freedman toying with the idea of entering her in the $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) which will be held on May 17.
In the short term, Freedman has lined up other races along the way to keep Parranda’s competitive edge sharp.
“The SIA Cup is still a long way to go. So I might enter her in another feature race like the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Cup or the Admiralty Classic Stakes,” he said.
“I will hopefully give her first run at the end of April.”
The six-year-old daughter of English Channel held an impressive record from the US before conquering Kranji at her first run, having clinched 11 wins and eight placings in 29 starts there.
