Trainer Alwin Tan’s high hopes for Super Fortune in the $1 million Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Saturday took a major dent when he drew 14 from 16.
The Mossman four-year-old never finished out of the placings in eight starts at Kranji that included five wins – pointedly all recorded over the Lion City Cup course and distance.
But the first blip came at his last run when he finished sixth more than three lengths off the winner Aramco in the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the Group 3 JBBA Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) on April 1.
Super Fortune (Olivier Placais) at his last win in the iRACE Classic, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on March 9, picture Singapore Turf Club
Nothing offbeat was found after the former one-time Kembla Grange winner (when known as Man To Love) was impounded. Tan discussed with jockey Olivier Placais and decided to skip the second Leg, the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) – which they had been loath to run in, anyway, given it is run on Polytrack – and bring him back for his main target, the Lion City Cup.
All had gone well for the Eight Eight One Stable-owned galloper in the build-up to the million dollar race – which will be held together with the $1.5 million Invitational Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) and the $1 million Singapore Guineas (1600m) in one special twilight meeting of Group 1 meeting on May 26 – only for the horror gate to deflate the whole team’s mood.
“I’m very disappointed with the barrier draw. He is an on-the-pace horse and it was important he got a good gate,” said Tan who has one Lion City Cup to his name in 2015 thanks to War Affair.
“My only hope is that there is some pace and he can slot in somewhere in midfield. If he is caught wide in a 16-horse field, it will be tough for him.
“Condition-wise, the horse has come back in good form, and his work has been good. It’s now in Olivier’s hands.”
Placais, who has yet to win a Group 1 race in Singapore, was understandably down but not out.
“The bad gate has almost slashed all our chances, but I will have to adapt,” said the French jockey.
“I will ride him less positive, hoping I can then come in between runners in the end.
“The horse is very well. He has really benefitted from the two-month break.
“There were no sparks at his barrier trial last Thursday (May 17), but 1000m trials on Polytrack are not his cup of tea.
“On Tuesday, his gallop was much better. I rode him quiet early and only gave him a squeeze in the last 200m, he quickened up nicely.”
