Trainer Bruce Marsh had a change of heart about not giving War Affair another barrier trial one week before his much-anticipated comeback in the Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes (1400m) on May 14.

 

The 2014 Singapore Horse of the Year was last Thursday put through a barrier trial, his since his last run in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) in October. Outpaced early, War Affair, who was diagnosed with a wind problem after his third to Debt Collector in the Raffles Cup, dashed late to claim the trial by a nose

 

After the hit-out, Marsh said the O’Reilly six-year-old, who was at his fifth season, would need no other trial and will head straight to the Saas Fee Stakes.


War Affair (Danny Beasley) seen here at one of their previous winning combinations.

 

But this Thursday, his name was back on the trial list, in Trial No 4 which looked like a mini dress rehearsal of the Saas Fee Stakes. Five other likely contenders were also in the line-up – Well Done, Poseidon, Storm Troops, Mr Fantastic and Twickenham.

 

Marsh explained that only one barrier trial might not give an accurate snapshot of a horse’s condition.

 

“He was too fresh at the first trial. He trialled too good and it’s hard to get a line on his form,” said the Kiwi handler.

 

“It’s like you get a stayer who can win first-up in an 1100m race, but doesn’t show much second-up. That’s why I preferred to give him one more trial.”

 

As it turned out, War Affair almost delivered a carbon copy of the first trial – flop out to last before motoring home late – except that jockey Danny Beasley was seen giving him more of a push this time around to beat all but Mr Fantastic (Barend Vorster).

 

“Everything’s good with him and Danny was also happy with him. It’s all systems go for his comeback,” said Marsh.

 

While War Affair, a 15-time winner of close to $3 million in stakes, will keep Marsh on his toes next week, he has a less high-profile horse making his racing return on Friday, Chariots Of Fire, in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1100m. His record of one win and one second from four starts and stakes earnings of $54,000 may pale in comparison with War Affair’s, but the Tudor Lodge & Go Racing Stable-owned colt has certainly shown some early promise.

 

An all-the-way winner by half-a-length at his last start in a Restricted Maiden race over 1200m, the three-year-old by Showcasing was backed off after Marsh found out he was troubled by some leg issues.

 

It was nothing too serious, but it was also a good excuse to give Chariots Of Fire more time to develop and come back a better racehorse.

 

Marsh would not be caught predicting if that will happen at his first-up race, but he does know he has been working in solid fashion and will be presented with a reasonable chance.

 

“Chariots Of Fire had some minor leg injury and we had to give him a break. There was no surgery involved, but plenty of rest,” said Marsh.

 

“He’s had a few trials and the best one was his last. Vlad Duric has stuck with him throughout and will ride him again on Friday.

 

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s come back good.”

 

Chariots Of Fire has drawn awkwardly in barrier No 8 but with not many noted fliers in the race, he may be able to secure the lead.