Top jockey Glen Boss is keeping it simple for Alibi’s next run in the $500,000 Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on Sunday – let the horse point himself in the right direction.
The first Leg-winner of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) is aiming to put astern two-thirds of the journey to the Triple Crown – yet to be achieved – with the Australian hoop having no doubt in his mind the mile is right up his alley.
But one asset about the Darci Brahma entire which Boss will tap the most into come Sunday is his versatility.
Alibi and Glen Boss at their Stewards' Cup triumph three weeks ago, picture Singapore Turf Club
“I don’t really have a battle plan for him. He is a competitive horse and is not a hard horse to ride,” said Boss.
“He is versatile. He can stalk up the speed and he has that good turn of speed to finish it off.
“That’s the beauty about this horse. You can just see how things play out and not overdo things with him; that leaves you with a few more options.
“Other horses in the field have more of a one racing pattern. They need to go forward or drop back and that’s it.
“The barrier is insignificant to him. He can sit handy if they go along; if they do 15, it does not really matter, he can still sit back in a 1-1 spot.”
Boss has jumped back on the Michael Clements-trained galloper after his gutsy Stewards’ Cup win three weeks, and was glad to report he had not lost any of his ticker.
“I gave him a breeze-up this week and he felt really good. I would say he is in the same mindset, we just kept him ticking over,” he said.
“Michael and the boys have done a great job to bring him to his best for the 4YO races. He will be better suited by the mile, but so are the others, so we’re all in the same boat.”
Clements’ assistant-trainer Michael White said there was not much more they could have done to keep Alibi on top of his game as the second Leg looms. The third and final Leg is the $1.15 Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) to be run on July 9.
“The horse has pulled up in great order since his last run. Everything he showed us tells us he is as good as he has ever been,” said the Australian.
“As his record suggests, he will be better suited over the mile, but you can say the same thing about the other horses, too.
“He always tries 110% and is a horse who makes his own luck, which is good to have, especially in a Group 1 race.
“You would rather have a horse who makes his own luck than having to rely on another horse.”
