Lord O’Reilly has emerged as a frontrunner to the upcoming Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge following his pulsating win in the $85,000 Novice race over 1200m on Friday night.
Racing in a field bursting at the seams with similar three-year-old talents like Zac Kasa, Imperium and Loving You, Lord O’Reilly ($32) was testing his mettle against some quality sorts, but he stamped his worth in no uncertain terms by snaring the top prize.
With all the buzz on Cliff Brown’s Zac Kasa ($9), the race looked all stitched up when the handsome grey extended his lead for Michael Rodd while looking like he had not been fully extended upon straightening.
Lord O'Reilly (Ryan Curatolo) strides past Zac Kasa (Michael Rodd, obscured) to take out Race 3, picture Singapore Turf Club
The battle for the minors seemed to be the only issue left to be sorted, but there were more twists and turns in store when the complexion of the race suddenly shifted shape with Zac Kasa shortening strides 200m out.
Out of the pack, only one horse could lower his colours: Lord O’Reilly (Ryan Curatolo) who had been lurking around and was eating up the ground at the rate of knots down the middle of the track.
With the momentum clearly swinging the son of O’Reilly’s way, the inevitable occurred 50m out as the swooper descended to land the spoils with half-a-length to spare. Imperium let down late to grab third place another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 9.28secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
Winning trainer Leslie Khoo, who was at a race-to-race double following Basilisk’s win earlier (see previous report), said Lord O’Reilly would sidestep next Friday’s first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and would be aimed at the second Leg instead, the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on April 22.
“He’s a very nice horse that I bought as a yearling for NZ$80,000 in New Zealand,” said the Singaporean trainer who has yet to win a ‘black type’ race in his 11 years at Kranji.
“He was dropping from 1400m to 1200m and that’s why I put him in a blinker test last week (March 13). We knew Zac Kasa would go very fast in front and with the blinkers on, I knew he would be sharper and give chase better.
“I will set him for the second Leg as the first Leg is too close.”
Curatolo, who was aboard at Lord O’Reilly’s maiden win last time out, will be odds-on to keep his seat on the MA Racing No 2 Stable-owned gelding at those future endeavours.
“The drop from 1400m to 1200m was a question mark. We had the side winkers on over 1400m as they are less strong but the blinkers were back on tonight,” said the French rider.
“I had him in a great spot on the rails, but at the 600m, the leader opened up and I had to come out as I didn’t want him to give us the slip.
“With the blinkers on, he was very switched on, more focused - and he chased him down very well. He was all out to catch him and he really gave his best in the last 200m.
“I think the 1400m and 1600m Legs of the 3YO series will be better for him. I actually think he is more of a miler, but I’ll leave that to Leslie to decide which way he goes.”
With that second win under the belt, Lord O’Reilly has now racked up close to $95,000 in prizemoney for the MA Racing No 2 stable.
