3 minute read

Fresh from his holidays at the Cheltenham Festival in his native England, trainer James Peters is back in full work mode at Kranji and keen to get that stalled winning counter back on the march.

One shy of win No 10 this campaign, the young handler has not saddled a winner since his double with Yulong Fast Steed and Mr Colin on February 18.

With a team of seven runners spread across five of the eight races carded on Friday night, Peters is not too picky who among them can chip in for that much-needed relaunch, but if he had to single out the races where the winners are most likely to come from, they would be Race 2 and the last two.

In the $85,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1400m, he saddles Arc Raider (Vlad Duric), a noticeable improver on his fighting third second-up in a similar race three weeks ago.

His pair of Macarthur (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) and Buenos Aires (Amirul Ismadi) are bound to draw healthy interest in the penultimate race, the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m, and should either fail, he still has one last roll of the dice in the Lucky Last, Arc Triumph (Noh Senari) in the $45,000 Class 4 Non Premier race over 1000m.

“Cheltenham was good fun and it was overall a nice break to be back home,” said Peters.

“But now, it’s back to work and it’d be good if we could get a winner or two tomorrow.

“Macarthur and Buenos Aires are both fine and in good form. They both have their chance in the Class 3 race even if it’s not the easiest race for them.

“Macarthur was supposed to run two weeks ago, but he was scratched because of a minor setback. He has been working well and has drawn quite well in barrier No 5.

“I’ve put Simon Kok on to take four kilos off his 55.5kgs. I’ve also put Amirul on Buenos Aires to take two kilos off his 52kgs, but he has drawn wide in 14.

“Buenos Aires is a straightforward horse, and he will be okay wherever he jumps. If he can overcome that barrier, he should be in with a chance.

“He has been racing consistently well this year and is overdue for his maiden win (three placings from six starts).”

Peters will have a better gauge where the duo stand as far as future endeavours are concerned, but distance-wise, they might not end up in the same race again.

A four-year-old by Sebring, Buenos Aires has been making stacks of ground at his last two starts over 1100m and 1200m for the China Horse Club.

A former top juvenile two years back, Macarthur has four wins (all over 1200m) on the board, the first two when prepared by trainer Steven Burridge as a two-year-old, and the other two under Peters, the latest coming as far back as last July in a Polytrack race over 1200m.

“I would like to step Buenos Aires up in distance at his next races. Macarthur is more of a sprinter, he didn’t quite handle 1400m before,” said Peters.

As for his two “Arc” horses (both raced by the Arc Marine Stable), Michael Freedman’s former assistant-trainer is also happy with the way they will present themselves in their respective contests.

“Arc Triumph (x Showcasing) is in good form and is racing very well. He ran a nice third when up in grade in a Class 4 Premier race at his last race,” said Peters.

“He’s a straightforward horse and he runs best when kept fresh. He won over 1000m and will go over the same trip tomorrow.

“Arc Raider ran a much-improved race at his second start when stepped up to 1400m. He’s drawn much better this time and I can’t see any reason why he can’t run well tomorrow.”