There was plenty to like about the way Baffert opened his account at his third outing three weeks ago, but trainer Cliff Brown expects a tougher assignment for the impressive last-start winner this Sunday.
Ridden by Michael Rodd, the Exceed And Excel four-year-old exploded away to a 2 ¼-length win in a Class 4 Premier race over 1100m on January 12, but a typically careful Brown was putting things in perspective ahead of Sunday’s $80,000 Class 3 Division 1 race over 1100m.
Exceed And Excel four-year-old Baffert (Michael Rodd) off to an easy first win on January 12, picture Singapore Turf Club
“I thought he was in trouble coming to the corner (at his last race),” said the Australian handler.
“He needed some luck to get out of the pocket he was in, but we were just lucky. The field opened up and he just went through.
“It looked a bit flattering, to be honest.”
Brown said the Premier Racing & Forever Lucky Stable-owned gelding has maintained his form but faces a much stiffer task against more beefed-up opposition this week.
“It’s a big jump to Class 3, but the horse is going okay, and I just hope he can make the transition,” he said.
“He’s got 53.5kgs which Michael can’t ride at. Glen Boss will be riding him.
“I think the blinkers also helped him a great deal at his last start. He will wear them again.”
Meanwhile, Brown’s 2017 Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) winner Gilt Complex has settled in well in Dubai after landing there over the weekend.
“All’s good with Gilt Complex. He’s settled in really well,” he said.
“Jakki Harrison (equine chiropractor and senior track rider) travelled with him. She will also be riding him in work.
“He will run in a 2000m race on February 8 and I will probably go there a few days before.”
Rodd, who rode in Dubai last year, both Elite Excalibur during the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Debt Collector in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m), albeit without success, will fly over to ride Singapore’s champion stayer and champion older horse. Bahana and Newlands are also slated to race in the same race for fellow Kranji trainer Stephen Gray.
If things go to plan, the next target for Gilt Complex would be the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold (2400m) on March 10. Again, should he pass that next test, he would then be heading towards the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) on Dubai World Cup meeting on March 31.
Quechua represented Singapore in that race last year and was well beaten by French raider, the Aga Khan’s Vazirabad.
