A recurrence of a health setback is always harder to cop than the first onset, but trainer David Kok did not throw in the towel with the talented but injury-plagued Speedy Dragon.
Kok shook his head in disbelief when the US-bred sprinter fell foul to the same ailment that put the skids on his campaign straight after his first win in December 2014 – the treatable but still dreaded knee chip.
The son of Safe In The USA was only two then, but still had to go under the knife. Eight months later, the flashy chestnut was back, and racing in the distinctive German colours (black, red and yellow) of the GTR Racing Stable, which is partly owned by Emirates Singapore Derby winner Well Done’s owner Jason Goh, he has since added another five wins.
Speedy Dragon has overcome two knee chip operations.
But after his latest win, a thumping 6 ¼-length decimation of his Kranji Stakes C rivals in an 1100m race last June, the knee chip injury reared its ugly head again.
“It was a big blow to the owners and myself,” recalled Kok.
“It was like his first win revisited all over again. I remember one week before his first win, we suspected he had that issue but he still ran and won.
“The first operation was successful and we all know what he did after that. Just when we thought that problem was behind him for good, the same thing happened again after his last win.
“It was just bad luck. Again, he showed the same signs a few days before and I felt something wasn’t right, but he won on courage. The next day, he was lame and my worst fears were confirmed.”
Speedy Dragon went back on the surgery table, and fortunately, with the same successful outcome.
“Both knees had chips. But luckily, we have very good veterinary surgeons at the Club and they performed a second successful operation on him,” said Kok.
“Again, I’ve given him plenty of time to recuperate (more than six months) and he has come through very well.”
Kok put Speedy Dragon through one barrier trial on January 19. Settling behind the early leaders, Speedy Dragon immediately showed his competitive spirit as Wonderful (Monday’s winner) rolled off the fence to leave an inviting gap, but his last-start winning partner Salim Yusoff held him back as they ambled along to settle for second place 1 ¼ lengths astern.
“He trialled very well last week. He looks ready for his comeback, but I think he will need the run,” said Kok.
“The 1000m on Polytrack is ideal for a comeback and Salim will ride him again. But he will be running against some good horses who have the fitness edge on him, like Nova Swiss and Sebas.
“I may then look at the feature races for him, like the Merlion Trophy, but it will all depend on how he runs on Sunday.”
The Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m), which will be run on March 5, is the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, which moves on to the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on March 26 and the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on April 16.
