Korean Raiders Work at Kranji

Trainer Bart Rice and his wife Pam at Kranji | Singapore Turf Club

By

Two of the three Korean-based runners in Singapore for Sunday's S$250,000 Korean Racing Authority Trophy (1200m AWT) got a feel for the local Polytrack Thursday morning and were the subject of positive reports from their connections.

Triple Five (Girolamo), who enters this first overseas foray with three wins and three seconds from six starts, was given a good workout, cantering off from the 600m mark before finishing off generously over the final quarter-mile.

“It was a very good workout. Nothing too demanding as he's already done all his foundation work in Korea,” said jockey Nooresh , who has the call Sunday.

“He quickened up very well. It was just the blowout he needed to give him a little wind-opener. “He was not blowing after the gallop, showing he is pretty fit. [Trainer] Bart [Rice] has him spot-on, I think.”

The South African-born Rice, once an assistant to current Singapore trainer Michael Clements in Zimbabwe, was pleased with what he saw.

“He's moving well on the Polytrack,” the conditioner commented. “Nooresh told me he felt like he's run on this track before, he was very professional and took everything in his stride. On Tuesday, he had a trot and canter, and today, he went a little quicker. I was very happy with the gallop and if Nooresh is happy, I'm happy.”

Triple Five leaves gate seven Sunday.

With jockey Imran Chisty in the irons, Always Winner (Kor) (Creek Cat, post 4) took an easy spin around the Polytrack at a canter and was allowed to open things up a little in the final three-eighths of a mile.

“Very good workout,” said his groom Jeon. “Chisty was very happy with it and I think the boss will be happy, too. The boss only flies in on Saturday,” he added, referring to trainer Shin Seung Tae.

The most experienced of the three runners, Parang Juuibo (With Distinction, stall 6) did not make an appearance on track Thursday morning as planned, as the 6-year-old has not yet regained the weight lost on the trip down from South Korea.

“His weight is actually not bad. It's actually gone up form 475kgs yesterday to 486kgs this morning, which is very near his racing weight,” said groom and track rider Hong Jun Pyo. “But the boss didn't want him to gallop this morning and then his condition might drop again. I just hand-walked him round the back. No worries, though. The horse didn't miss a gallop, as he had one on Monday and he's already done all his main work back home.”

The KRA Trophy, carded as Sunday's seventh race (3:50 p.m.), drew a field of 10, led on ratings by the Alwin Tan-trained duo of Good News (Aus) (Charge Forward {Aus}) and Nova Warrior (NZ) (Bachelor Duke).

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.