Champion trainer Mark Walker was happy with Elite Invincible’s last barrier trial on Thursday before the $500,000 Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) comes up on June 10.
Ridden by Vlad Duric, the Irish-bred’s winning partner at the first two of his three Kranji wins, the Archarcharch four-year-old could not quite keep up with the early speed set by the two Shane Baertschigers, Speedy Dragon (John Powell) and Lincoln Road (Matthew Kellady), in the end running sixth about 11 lengths off the winner Lincoln Road.
Duric jumped off saying that Elite Invincible was outpaced by the speed merchants upfront, but it was still a nice wind-opener towards his first-up assignment in the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
Vlad Duric brings Elite Invincible back from his barrier trial on Thursday, picture Singapore Turf Club
Elite Invincible has not raced since his gutsy second to the other Elite stablemate Elite Excalibur – but prepared by Cliff Brown – in the Group 3 Committee’s Prize (1600m) on March 18.
Walker said he had already planned to tip the former one-time UK winner (at Kempton Park in a 1600m race) out in readiness for the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge. The next Leg is the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) two weeks later on June 24 followed by the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 15.
“He was just out to have a quiet trial today. He had a nice break and will be fit and ready for the first Leg (Stewards’ Cup). Vlad will ride him,” said Walker.
“The 1400m might be on the sharp side for him. He will be better suited by the second and third Legs.
“He ran very well in the Committee’s Prize, but it was never our intention to run him in the Kranji Mile (run on Saturday and dominated by Hong Kong with Southern Legend and Horse Of Fortune running 1-2). We always wanted to concentrate on the 4YO series.
“Considering that he started off in Class 4 and went right through to that level, it’s been a very good first prep.”
Two barrier trials later, Walker had another handy galloper getting ready after a long time off – Bringer Of War, third in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) last year.
Ridden by Walker’s apprentice jockey Ng Choon Kiat, the Burgundy filly, now three, ran a pleasing fourth to Mikcaipho (Nurshahril Nordin). The Jubilant Racing No 5 Stable-owned filly has not raced since running sixth in a Class 4 Premier race over 1000m on January 7.
“Bringer Of War had knee surgery after she was found to have knee chips. She was a precocious sort who ran third in the Aushorse,” said Walker of the one-time winner over 1000m.
“She will run in the Class 4 race over 1000m next Friday.”
While waiting for these handy sorts to resume, Walker will be hoping for the machine to get back in full swing after a quiet Kranji Mile week.
With 12 runners spread over Friday (five) and Sunday (seven), the Kiwi is well represented, even if no real standout emerges, but his three-pronged attack made up of Kingsman, Lim’s Regard and Bao Shan Magic in the $100,000 Racing Australia Trophy Kranji Stakes B race over 1400m on Friday night probably rates as his best chance to stay in touch with the leading bunch.
The two-time Singapore champion trainer currently sits in fifth place on 23 winners, only three winners behind Lee Freedman, Shane Baertschiger and Daniel Meagher, all tied on 26 winners.
“Kingsman’s got a good draw (2) and the three-kilo allowance (from Walker’s apprentice jockey Ng Choon Kiat) will be of a big help. He is best suited to 1400m,” he said.
“A lot will depend on what the weather does. We’re out on the D and E course this week, and there’s been a lot of rain lately and of the three, Kingsman’s the one who handles a bit of soft ground the best.
“Lim’s Regard has won two-in-a-row. He will improve with more distance and I think he has the quality to run in the Derby.
“As for Bao Shan Magic, he is coming back after he bled at his last start. He will probably need the run.”
Walker has booked Duric on Lim’s Regard who has drawn off the track in gate No 10 while his apprentice jockey Zawari Razali takes the ride on Bao Shan Magic and will jump from gate No 5.
