By Alan Carasso
Looking to bounce back after being handed the first defeat of his career Aug. 25, Chopins Fantaisie (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) successfully stretched out to the metric mile for the first time and gutted out a neck victory in a BM83 handicap Sunday at Kranji.
After simply being left with too much to do from too far behind over 1400m last time, the full-brother to former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) was given a more positive ride this time from gate 11 and found a good spot from fourth, with cover, one out and one back through the opening furlongs. Vlad Duric peeled out the $16 (11-5) second choice with the better part of 500 metres to travel and the duo grabbed Oxbow Sun (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) to lead at the furlong marker. Still flashing signs of immaturity, Chopins Fantaisie looked to idle a bit while waiting on challengers, but was always holding $80 roughie Chairman (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the run to the line, then remained in front on the gallop out (video).
“He's still very green, but he's an absolute racehorse,” Duric told the Singapore Turf Club's Michael Lee. “There is still a lot there to come from what he's shown us so far. He was very dour today, though. From the start, he got across quite easily and at the 800m I started to get a feel for him. I just wanted to stay behind the horse in front and then peel him out for his run. Once he got in front, he loafed and it felt like he was just waiting for a horse to challenge him, and then he kicked again. He is a real stayer.”
With the first leg of the Triple Crown series, the Kranji Mile, just two weeks away, Chopins Fantaisie will miss that in favour of the S$700,000 Raffles Cup (1800m) Oct. 22.
Owned by Joshua Tan's Jubilant Racing No. 4 Stable and trained by Michael Clements, Chopins Fantaisie, an NZ$150,000 graduate of the 2015 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, has five wins from six runs and earnings of S$213,435.
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