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Macavity’s nightmarish start to his Kranji career seems to have been exorcised after he was on his best behaviour and jumped to a clean start at Tuesday’s barrier trials.
The New Zealand-bred son of Bernardini was all set to make his local debut in an Initiation race over 1200m on March 24, but became a late scratching after he flipped over in his gate and became cast. The James Peters-trained odds-on favourite Winning Express went on to win the race easily.
Trainer Bruce Marsh was puzzled by that sudden unruly behaviour as the four-year-old had been a straightforward horse at the pens up until that “moment of madness”.
But rules are rules, and Macavity (a character from Cats) was shown the white card. He had to pass another barrier test before he could race again – which was tentatively pencilled in as Labour Day’s special meeting next Monday, the $65,000 Initiation race over 1200m on Polytrack.
To the great relief of all those associated with him, that box has now been ticked. For good measure, the Graham Mackie and Valachi Downs-owned gelding even won the barrier test, beating Berlinetta (Oscar Chavez) by close to two lengths.
“He passed that test, no worries there. He didn’t rear at all,” said Marsh.
“The horse was raring to go on that day (March 24) but he fell on his rear.”
Jockey Vlad Duric also thought it was out of character for Macavity to “flip out” as he had exhibited none of that propensity at his three pre-debut barrier trials.
“He was fine today, He’s actually a very quiet horse,” said Kranji’s current leading hoop.
“Maybe he went off because it was under the lights, and with the crowd and the noise, he was anticipating the start and just reared.
“Today, they loaded him late (second-last to go in) and he stood there nice and relaxed.
“It was a pretty slow time, but he did well to quicken up against those two-year-olds (Berlinetta and Yaya Papaya).
“He trialled well in New Zealand and we have high hopes for him. I’m sure he will run well on Monday, which is a day meeting, which is good.”
