The 2016 Singapore Horse of the Year was sent to Australia last December after some below-par runs prompted trainer Cliff Brown and connections to decide on a change of scenery in the hope of bringing the spark back in the multiple-Group winner.
They chose Newhaven Park in New South Wales, the same place where Brown sent his former champion sprinter Zac Spirit for a similar spot of rejuvenation in 2015. The only difference to that blueprint was that Zac Spirit went there on a post-op rehab while Debt Collector was sound as a bell, he just needed a seachange.
Debt Collector at the last of his eight wins in the Canada Cup on February 10, 2017, picture Singapore Turf Club
We all know the main benefit reaped from the experiment. Zac Spirit came back with a renewed zest for racing, bagging the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) in 2016 before being retired for good.
Whether Debt Collector will follow the same pathway back to the top remains to be seen, but just like Zac Spirit, he has shown the same positive signs during his four months of bucking and whinnying around in a paddock with no saddle on.
“Debt Collector was happy just being a horse in a farm with paddock mates. He was kicking and squealing like a young horse,” said Tim Fitzsimmons, Brown’s assistant-trainer.
“We got regular updates from John Kelly, the owner of Newhaven Park, who is a good friend of Cliff’s. He has basically thrived over there, has enjoyed a new lease of life.
“He lands back in Singapore this Sunday and will be in quarantine for two weeks. We will then slowly bring him back.”
Fitzsimmons said that the whole rebooting plan in Australia was to hopefully get the Debt Collector of old in good time when the International Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) is rolled out in 2019.
“Obviously, we will get him ready for the three big races at the end of the year, the Raffles Cup, the QEII Cup and the Gold Cup,” said Fitzsimmons.
“But one of the main reasons to send him to Australia was to hopefully have him ready for the International race in 2019. There’s big prizemoney in it and he deserves a chance.
“He may kick off with a race like the Jumbo Jet (1400m on August 12) which he won two years ago. We’ll play it by ear.
“He will need a couple of months to get ready, which is a similar programme he went through in the last two years, anyway.
“He is still lightly-raced and it’s exciting times ahead. Hopefully, he’ll come back to his best.”
From humble beginnings at Restricted Maiden level, Debt Collector captured the imagination of Kranji racegoers when he reeled off eight wins in a row from his third start onwards, including five at Group level.
Among the highlights are the last two Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge in 2016, including the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) leading to his champion 3YO title, followed by the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m).
The Barree Stable-owned galloper made a successful comeback in 2017, but six defeats have since ensued, including his unplaced run in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at the Dubai World Cup in Meydan in March 2017.
He was, however, seldom disgraced, rattling home with his trademark electric turn of foot like at his flying second to Countofmontecristo at his second crack at a Jumbo Jet Trophy or his third to Infantry in last year’s Panasonic Kranji Mile.
Debt Collector last raced in last year’s Group 1 Raffles Cup, finishing sixth to stablemate Gilt Complex before he was booked for his Australian holidays.
Michael Rodd was his partner at 15 of his 18 rides, riding him to seven of his eight wins. Vlad Duric is the only other jockey to have won on him – at his second win.
