Trainer Ricardo Le Grange’s Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint trio of Nowyousee, Captain Jamie and Mokastar came firing on all cylinders to finish in that order at the barrier trials on Thursday morning.
The South African handler is known to let his charges run along in trials, but the yard’s trifecta in heat No 4 still reflected the good nick his team for the $250,000 Group 3 race over 1200m were currently in one week ahead of the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge on March 30.
Besides the horses’ sparkling form, the other pointer to be derived from the hitout was Le Grange’s choice of jockeys. Stable jockeys Nooresh Juglall and Barend Vorster were aboard Nowyousee and Mokastar respectively while Captain Jamie was partnered by French jockey Ryan Curatolo for the first time.
“The jockeys who rode them this morning will be the same riding them in the first Leg next Friday,” said Le Grange.
“I’m very happy with the way they trialled today and with their general condition. They are all fit and well.
“Obviously, Nowyousee is a good trial horse and he showed it again today. Nooresh was happy with the way he hit the line strongly.”
The Titanium Star Stable-owned son of O’Reilly actually got off to a tardy getaway at his last run but still ran on well for third to Distinctive Darci. The three-time winner was back to his pacy self on Thursday as he was one of the best away before heading the field after only 200m, careering away in the straight to score by just under four lengths.
Drawn on the inside, Captain Jamie (x Captain Sonador) also showed natural speed but was happy to let his stablemate bowl along upfront. The two-time winner raced by South African owner Guy Shirtliff wound up full of running for Curatolo.
Tmen Stable’s Mokastar, a son of just deceased stallion Poet’s Voice, endured the toughest journey of Le Grange’s trio, being caught three wide but always with Nowyousee in his sights. The three-time winner ran on pleasingly to take third place another 3 ¼ lengths away.
Le Grange confirmed that the trial trio would make up his Sprint squad, but he had a few more waiting in the wings for the other Legs.
The second Leg, the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) is in three weeks’ time on April 22 while the third and final Leg, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) will be run on May 26.
“I will begin with these three first and I will then see how they go before deciding who move on to the next Legs,” he said.
“I would say Mokastar should go for the second Leg, Captain Jamie is possible whereas we’ll have to see for Nowyousee.
“I also have Tesoro Privado and King Louis for the other Legs, and two other unraced Argentinian-breds but I’ll wait and see how they go first.”
The other two 3YOs also lined up at Thursday’s barrier trials where both Tesoro Privado (barrier trial No 3) and King Louis (barrier trial No 5) ran second.
