While some thought smart three-year-old Jupiter Gold would be a wildcard in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Sunday, his stocks have quickly risen to that of testing material.

No doubt, Hideyuki Takaoka’s rig – who is rated 91 versus the highest rated runner War Affair on 116 points - is out of the handicap in the weight-for-age race (all carry 58kgs bar him on 56kgs), but he ticks many other boxes, a fact not lost on his 14 older rivals.

He has long been screaming for a trip like the 1800m – the new shorter distance (from 2000m) of the Group 1 (not too long ago, a Group 2 race) event.


 

He has drawn marble seven, which is much better than the two awkward alleys (11 and 10) he was handed at the last two Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.

He has proven himself to be one of the best of his generation with Countofmontecristo and Forever Young – arguably the best if 3YO races beyond the mile existed.

To his jockey Alan Munro, the son of Congrats is just a very good progressive horse who deserves a shot at the big boys, and he seemed convinced he can measure up.

“He’s running against the best, but he’s also one of the best, he’s the up-and-comer, isn’t he?” said Munro who combined with Takaoka to land the QEII Cup with top mare Better Life in 2013.

“We always felt his best career would be as a four-year-old, and this race will be a great experience for him. He has drawn the middle, and he can go through and not have to fight for a good spot all the way around on the outside and make ground.

“He will definitely come out of it a better horse. Whether he can go against the ratings, we will see.

“It should be a great race, and at the same time, it’s all about building him up towards his future races.”

Munro galloped the six-time winner (first two recorded as a juvenile in two Legs of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series) on Wednesday, and said he could not fault him – as usual.

“He worked well, he worked normally. Everything is going well with him,” he said.

The English jockey, who currently sits second on the jockey’s premiership, one win behind Vlad Duric, has such a healthy opinion of the Kaz Hosaka-owned galloper that he convinced Takaoka to toss him into the QEII Cup mix.

“After the Guineas, I discussed with Munro and he said the horse was at his peak and it would be a waste if he stayed in his box,” said Takaoka.

“He said the distance of the QEII Cup would suit him. I know this is a different ball game, it’s a strong field and he takes only two kilos from the others, but we thought we stood nothing to lose, we will come in as the challenger.

“Ideally, I would like to see him midfield in fifth to eight spot with cover. We’ll see.”

After reeling off three wins in a row this prep, Jupiter Gold tackled the last two Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge and was backed down to favouritism on both occasions, but unfortunately came up short against Countofmontecristo (third) in the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) and Forever Young (second) in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m).

Most experts agree that he was beset by bad draws and just ran out of ground as he got warmed up inside the last 300m or so.

Jockey Glen Boss, who rides Bahana in the QEII Cup, and is Countofmontecristo’s regular partner, has singled out Jupiter Gold as the horse to beat.

“It’s a high quality field, but I think the horse to watch is the three-year-old,” said the top hoop.

“He’s a very smart horse, don’t worry about that, and the 1800m will be even better for him. He can definitely hold his own in such a race.”