Winning debutant Yulong Xiong Hu faces a more difficult task second-up this Friday but trainer Leslie Khoo hopes that the longer distance will put the China-owned galloper in good stead for another dose.

The former Darren Weir-trained son of Sebring made a sensational Kranji debut in a Class 4 Premier race over 1400m on February 6 when he made the most of an uninterrupted run on the outside to defeat Super Tycoon by a neck. The win incidentally gave the Yulong Stable outfit its first win in Singapore after racing in this jurisdiction for nearly 16 months.

Khoo said post-race then that going with his record of two wins over 1600m and 1755m in Victoria, he expected Yulong Xiong Hu to be even more effective up to 2000m. With his age being four, the image of a shiny trophy in July did get a brief mention, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge till then, said Khoo.

Yulong Xiong Hu (Michael Rodd) at his winning debut on February 9, picture Singapore Turf Club

“The horse has maintained his condition after his win. He galloped good with Ryan Curatolo yesterday,” said Khoo.

“Based on his performances in Australia, the mile should suit him even better than the 1400m. If he wins on Friday, it means he’s got above-average ability as there are some good horses in this race.

“I may even be looking at the Derby for him, but let’s see how he goes through his grades first.”

The Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby on July 22 is the third and final Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and will for the first time be run over 1800m instead of the classic distance of 2000m.

Yulong Xiong Hu will this time be ridden by Curatolo while it was Michael Rodd who was aboard at his victorious launch. The French jockey said he actually pulled the wrong rein on that day.

“I’ve been riding Yulong Xiong Hu in trackwork and at his barrier trials, but on the day he made his debut, I chose Red Claw,” said Curatolo.

“Not only I made the wrong choice, but Red Claw also caused me a two-day suspension (to be served next week)!

“Anyway, I will ride him this Friday and I was quite happy with the way he has been working. I galloped him yesterday and the advantage this horse has is he can switch off and run relaxed at the back and then run home.

“He gave me the same feeling all week. I feel he has actually come on further since his first run, he is a lot fitter.

“He’s running against some very good horses, but he has also improved and I feel he can be very competitive even against better opposition.

“Only Win has won two nice races and remains the horse to beat, not to mention that Mike Clements’ yard is in good form.

“My horse has drawn a good gate in four and if we can get the rails support, I have a feeling he will run well again, especially if we stick to the same tactics.”

Booked for 13 rides (six on Friday and seven on Sunday), Curatolo is not relying on just Yulong Xiong Hu to make hay while the sun shines before he goes for his enforced holiday. At his first full season at Kranji, the former Macau-based rider lies in third place on 11 winners, four behind leader, reigning champion jockey Vlad Duric.

“I’ve got a nice book of rides this weekend. I also like my chances on Leslie’s other horse, Lord O’Reilly in the Restricted Maiden over 1400m on Friday,” said Curatolo.

“He ran a nice fourth on debut and I feel he has gained more maturity since. The horse to beat is Lonhro Gold who has plenty of speed.”