Contrary to his last barrier trial when he just loafed around at the back, reigning Singapore Horse of the Year Debt Collector gave a sneak peek of what he can do at his second such hit-out on Thursday.

 

The Thorn Park four-year-old again cut a lonesome figure when he was dropped back by regular partner Michael Rodd in the trial, but unlike the first one (since his Group 1 Raffles Cup win in October) when he just kept jogging to a distant last (27.4 lengths off the winner Lightning Fast), he showed a lot more dash inside the last 300m this time around.

 

Spotting the leaders around 10 lengths when he swung for home, Debt Collector was given a bit of a push from the top of the straight this time.
Extending nicely, he definitely got out into another gear as he passed a few runners before settling for fifth place around six lengths off the winner, stablemate Poseidon (Nuh Komari).


Debt Collector (Michael Rodd) heads out in front of stablemate Poseidon (Nuh Komari) at Thursday's trials.

 

He has shaved off nearly 20 lengths from the beaten margin at his first-up trial, and Rodd could not be happier with the way the ace galloper with the trademark electric turn of foot went about “collecting” his rivals in that old familiar way of his.

 

“We dropped back and I was happy to just let him amble along,” said the top jockey.

 

“But when I gave him a squeeze at the top of the straight, he ran on nicely this time. He was a lot more on his game this morning.

 

“I’m very happy where he is at. Cliff and the boys have got him spot-on for his comeback race.”

 

The seven-time winner (including three at Group 1 level) has been set for an Open Stakes race over 1400m next Friday week.

 

That run as well as another one on local soil will determine largely whether he will press on with his Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) plans at Meydan on March 25.

 

Meanwhile, another gun galloper came out for a quiet time in the same heat as Debt Collector – Singapore star sprinter Emperor Max.


Emperor Max (Amirul Ismadi) makes his way for yet another barrier trial.

 

The Holy Roman Emperor seven-year-old has not raced since his gallant second to Zac Spirit in last April’s Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m). With not many local races where he can escape any harsh penalty from the handicapper, the Drs Gordon and Ernest Yau-owned gelding has been kept ticking over in barrier trials until his next realistic assignment - another Lion City Cup, which will this year be run on April 16.

 

The nine-time winner has already been put through two such barrier trials last November under Rodd, his new partner, but with the Australian hoop committed to Debt Collector on Thursday, it was trainer Stephen Gray’s apprentice jockey Amirul Ismadi who steered him around.

 

Beginning well from barrier No 1, Emperor Max held a slender lead before handing it out to Rafaello (Olivier Placais) but still holding the rails run for most of the way before dropping out halfway up the straight to beat two home, without being asked to come out of second gear.

 

With Gray in New Zealand attending the Karaka yearling sale, assistant-trainers Peter Hutton and Nick Selvan were on hand to watch their stable star go for his spin.

 

“He had just a quiet trial with Amirul this morning. He jumped out good and strode out nicely,” said Selvan, the popular former Malaysian jockey.

 

“Peter was at the starting gates and I watched from the stand. We were both very happy with his run.”