3 minute read
Singapore Guineas winner Forever Young bounced back in a big way on Sunday evening when leading throughout in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy [1800m].
A surprise winner of the Group 1 Singapore Guineas three starts back, Forever Young was unsighted at his next outing, finishing well back behind Kirks Ryker.
Having returned from a six week break (41 days), Forever Young only managed to beat two rivals home, when sent out the $2.40 favourite.
A head scratching performance to say the least, Forever Young was found to have no abnormalities with the only excuse being that he was ridden too quiet.
Pushed forward to find the front on Sunday, Forever Young proved too strong, holding off a wall of horses to score by half a length.Thrown right in the deep end, Forever Young confirmed his level of performance from the Guineas and stamped himself as a serious horse.
After his defeat two back many questioned the performance from the Guineas, however few could question his effort on Sunday under the weight-for-age conditions.Forever Young returned a new career peak, rated alongside past winners Goodman, Flax and last year's victor Quechua.
Forever Young and Goodman remain the only 3YOs to win the event in recent times.The Group 3 Committee's Prize [1600m] appears his next likely target, a race which should see him start a lot tighter in the market — SP of $13 on Sunday.
Admittedly he had all the favours, however he still appears a stayer of good promise and could be stretched out to 2000m in the future.From a punting perspective, he remains a big watch as his consistency will no doubt come firmly under the microscope.
On Sunday's performance he is sure to make his presence felt, however if Forever Young is to produce what he did two back, he will obviously be safely held.At this stage he remains a wait and see conveyance, not doubting his talent, however he is hard to follow confidently given what he produced two back.
Trainer Kuah Cheng Tee will no doubt be hoping his performance two back was simply an anomaly and he can hold his form.Either way, he is sure to create plenty of interest the next time he steps out.
Faaltless
Under the urgings of star apprentice Matthew Poon, Faaltless was simply too good, leading throughout to score by 1.3L.
Niggled with injuries throughout his career, Faaltless could have been anything winning six of his first 10 starts.Most notably he easily disposed of Emperor Max in the 2014 Garden City Trophy and did beat both the latter and Zac Spirit in his last win prior to Sunday (16/11/2014).
An impressive training performance, Faaltless was back to best and while a 7YO, he is only relatively lightly raced and can certainly win more races — stick with him.
