Trainer Theo Kieser has decided to take the blinkers off last-start winner First Choice this Friday, all with the intention of settling him better should he head for loftier targets.
The Love Conquers All three-year-old burned up the Polytrack at his last start when he donned blinkers for the first time, dashing to the lead from the word go for jockey Nooresh Juglall in a Class 4 Premier race over 1100m on February 2.
The chestnut gelding looked to be coming back to the chasing pack by the home turn, but when Juglall released the brakes, he burst clear towards a big win, relegating former stablemate Preferred by two lengths.
Trainer Theo Kieser hopes that First Choice can channel his energy better without blinkers, picture Singapore Turf Club
Kieser was obviously pleased with the win – which was only his second for the new season – but if there was to be one negative it was the way he reefed and teared.
If the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge were to be a target for First Choice, one thing that Kieser was quite adamant about – he will need to learn to settle better.
The Challenge kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 30, followed by the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on April 22 to culminate with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 18.
“We didn’t want him to race the same way as at his last win if he was to be a chance in the 3YO series,” said Kieser.
“At his last start over 1100m, he had blinkers on for the first time and he went flat out the whole way.
“We hope that by taking off the blinkers on Friday, he will settle a bit better or he’s not going to last.
“This will be an experiment to see how he handles it without the blinkers. I hope he can relax better and settle somewhere close to the lead with cover.”
With all three Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge being run on turf, Kieser is confident the RX Stable-owned First Choice will take it in his stride.
“He handles both turf and Polytrack equally well. He ran third to Super Ball in a turf race over 1200m last year,” said the South African handler.
“The main issue with him is to teach him to save his energy or he would be in trouble when he faces better horses in the 3YO series.”
