Assistant-trainer Tim Fitzsimmons couldn’t be happier with the way the Stewards’ Cup two-pronged attack of Mr Fatkid and Despacito will be presented ahead of their major assignment on Sunday.
The Cliff Brown-trained duo will be among the 13 contenders vying for top prize in the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, taking on the likes of Countofmontecristo, Elite Invincible, Tannhauser and Lim’s Magic.
A Group 2 event over 1400m, the Stewards’ Cup will this year carry a total purse of $500,000 instead of $300,000, in line with the Singapore Turf Club’s initiative to bump up prizemoney for Group 1 and Group 2 events across the board, except for the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe.
Blinkers are coming on Mr Fatkid in Sunday's Group 2 Stewards' Cup, picture Singapore Turf Club
In spite of the daunting task ahead, Fitzsimmons said that both horses are fit and ready, even if their campaign from that point onwards may take different paths.
“The long-term plan for Mr Fatkid is all three Legs of the 4YO contest,” said Brown’s right-hand man.
“He will wear blinkers for the first time. He had a blinkers test three weeks ago (May 17) and (race-rider) Michael Rodd was very happy with the way he handled it.”
Settled in midpack throughout, the son of Mettre En Jeu was only given a bit of a squeeze inside the last 200m with winner Charger (Nooresh Juglall) well clear ahead. Mr Fatkid ran on nicely to finish second five lengths in arrears.
“Mr Fatkid had a let-up of 40 days. Not much went right at his last start (Kranji Stakes B race over 1800m when third to Golazo),” said Fitzsimmons of the four-time winner (1200m to 1800m).
“He was a long way back and they went fast in front. He did make ground late.
“We’ve freshened him up and he’s sprinted well fresh before.”
Despacito may be the new name for Draco after the Buffalo Stable bought the Falkirk four-year-old and four-time winner (all 1200m) from the Olympian Stable, but the engine has not changed much.
Fitzsimmons said that the other half of the Brown tag team, who will be ridden for the first time by Juglall, might not go beyond the Stewards’ Cup given he was more of a 1200m-1400m customer, but horses often take people by surprise.
“I’m not sure about Despacito (whether he can go beyond the first Leg). We’ll know more after Sunday,” said the Australian horseman who has been with Brown right from the day the former Victorian trainer moved to Kranji in 2008.
“He’s more of a 1200m-1400m horse, but you never know. From the way he finishes off strongly, he may go for the mile.”
The second Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge is the newly-renamed $1 million Group 1 Charity Bowl (1600m) – formerly known as the Patron’s Bowl.
“Hopefully, there is a fast pace to the race. Both horses normally go back and run on,” said Fitzsimmons.
Speaking of noted backmarkers blessed with a blinding turn of foot, one of Brown’s foremost ambassadors is getting all tuned-up for his much-anticipated comeback – 2016 Singapore Horse of the Year Debt Collector.
The five-year-old son of Thorn Park and winner of eight races, including five at Group level (three Group 1s) recently returned from a six-month break in the Hunter Valley, Australia, in a bid to turn his dipping form around.
From what Fitzsimmons has seen of the Barree Stable-owned galloper thus far, the signs are looking good ahead of his expected return in the Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) on August 12.
“Debt Collector has already had a few weeks of groundwork, mainly cantering on the uphill track,” he said.
“He will need a couple more before we step up on his work. He’s definitely come back bigger and stronger and hopefully, we can get him ready for the Jumbo Jet Trophy.
“It’s exciting times ahead.”
