Class prevails as Big Hearted digs deep
If jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin had any niggling concerns about Big Hearted (Hallowed Crown) in the $85,000 Kranji Stakes B race over 1400 metres yesterday, they were lack of pace and the 59.5 kilogram weight, but sheer class saw the 2020 Singapore Gold Cup (Listed, 2000m) winner come through without any issues.
After a moderate jump, Big Hearted was positioned in the midfield, with frontrunners Augustano (Hard Spun) and Passport To Rome (Snitzel) setting a strong pace.
In the box-seat, last-start runner-up Preditor (Savabeel) was in the zone, ready to pounce on the leaders turning for home, but the clear danger was Big Hearted from the outside.
Storming in with a big run, Big Hearted had the race shot to pieces when he punched to the lead at the 250 metres.
Hard ridden, Big Hearted could not quite put the race away under the 59.5 kilograms, and with stable companion On Line (O’Reilly) weaving his way through with a late charge, the line came just in time.
Big Hearted held On Line at bay by half a length, with Preditor a gallant third another three-quarters of a length away.
“I was worried about the pace. If they stack up the speed, that could work against us,” said Beuzelin.
“But he had a good run throughout and he did it very easy in the end. He did feel the big weight in the end, but his class prevailed.”
Michael Clements’ assistant trainer Michael White said the conditions of the race could have been a death trap should they get their tactics wrong.
“My biggest concern was the Long Course E. That is often a graveyard for many horses,” said the Australian.
“If he gets back, he would need a bit of luck in a small field over 1400 metres. The temptation to ride him cold as is his pattern was there but we rolled the dice and decided to ride him closer to the pace.
“He probably got there too soon 100 metres out, but he had to be ridden that way, and Louis gave him the perfect ride.
“Once he goes up in distance in bigger fields, he can give them a bigger start again. On Line also ran a super race.’
While the Kranji Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) on May 22 is Big Hearted’s grand final, connections are not against the idea of another lead-up run.
“The original plan is to go straight to the Kranji Mile, as there is no real and proper race for him,” said White.
“But there is a Class 1 mile race in two weeks’ time, and depending how he pulls up, we may look at that race for him.”
Big Hearted has now taken his sterling record to seven wins and four placings from 14 starts.
Clements’ stable transfer leaves rivals chasing Shadows
After a change of scenery, a vastly-improved The Shadow (Dissident) broke his maiden status in style in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200 metres yesterday.
With a third place his best effort in six previous starts under trainer Donna Logan, the four-year-old was a different proposition altogether from the moment he was taken to the front by jockey Shafrizal Saleh from barrier one.
He quickly had company on the outside, but the strides looked comfortable and fluent. When favourite Ima (Helmet) took the race up to him in the home straight, the threat never materialised.
Singapore champion trainer Clements’ new addition to his already quality-packed yard just exploded away to leave his 11 rivals chasing shadows down the straight.
Sent out at $21, The Shadow won by more than five lengths from Alexander (Zacinto), with Ima settling for third another half-length away.
“He arrived to us around two months ago, and like with any stable transfer, we took our time with him,” said Clements’ assistant trainer White.
“He’s a typical Dissident that needs more time, and today he was at the right place at the right time.
“He had two trials (one win and one second), and if he runs as well as he trialled, honestly, we were confident he would run well.
“If he couldn’t win today, it is what it is. If he had won by one length, it would be okay, but from the way he won, without getting too carried away, he’s a horse that certainly has ability.
“For sure he will be even better over more ground as he’s a typical rangy 1400 to 1600-metre horse.”
Shafrizal said he was expecting an improved performance, but was surprised by how well The Shadow won.
“He ran good barrier trials. You could tell he was an improving horse,” said Clements’ former apprentice jockey.
“I was told to go forward from barrier one. I thought Ima would lead us but we were able to hold the fence.
“I just waited for the home straight to let him go. I had plenty in hand but he still surprised me with the way he pulled clear.”
Songgong Hera on song after gelding operation
A gelding operation proved to be key to Songgong Hera (Spirit Of Boom) unlocking his potential after the Australian import found his winning flair at Kranji yesterday.
The four-year-old showed glimpses of ability at his local debut in January, but his next two lacklustre runs left trainer Jason Lim scratching his head.
The Singaporean could find nothing amiss with the former Peter and Paul Snowden-trained two-time winner (both over 1200 metres at Kembla Grange and Gosford).
“There was actually nothing wrong with him. He wasn’t too coltish and he’s actually a good worker,” said Lim.
“But he was not finishing off his races as he should. After three races, we suggested to the owner to have his horse gelded.
“We gave him a layoff of three weeks and he went really well in his trial (won on April 1). The other thing was I think we’ve been running him over the wrong distances – he’s a pure 1000-metre sprinter.
“We actually told Danny (Beasley) to sit off the pace, but he had so much pace that he took off and he led. He ran quick time, too.”
Beasley, who was at a riding double after saluting earlier aboard Born To Win (Haradasun) for Leslie Khoo in the opener, said he had gone into the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1000 metres on Polytrack with the confidence that Songgong Hera was not a one-trick pony cut out for just speed scampers.
“He’s a very nice horse and he was quite impressive today,” said the Australian jockey.
“The gelding operation made a difference. He took too long to acclimatise, Singapore is not a good place for stallions as it’s too hot.
“But at the same time, I’ve been watching his races in Australia, and he used to get back, and has won up to 1200 metres. So I think he’ll get over more distance here with time.
“I think he’s got a good future here. He could win up to Class 3 one day.”
Songgong Hera defeated Bright Almighty (Patronize) by one and a half lengths, with Man Of Mystery (All Too Hard) another two and a quarter lengths away in third.
Clements ends the day with Big Bang
Spirit Of Big Bang (Intikhab) (pictured) provided Michael Clements with a four-timer yesterday, joining The Shadow, Big Hearted and Day Approach (Dawn Approach) in the winners’ circle.
The haul extends the Singapore champion trainer’s lead on Mark Walker to seven winners. The Kiwi handler was able to pinch some ground back with a two-win buffer from Accumulation (Rip Van Winkle) and Mystery Power (No Nay Never), a British Group 2 winner who made his Kranji debut in the last race, the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200 metres.
While Clements had his assistant-trainer White on hand for the first three wins, he was around for Spirit Of Big Bang’s run in the penultimate event, the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1600 metres on turf.
No doubt all four victories meant a lot to him, but he was particularly pleased with the last one given the Irish-bred six-year-old was nearly lost to racing.
“Spirit Of Big Bang got loose on the trotting track and had a head-on collision with another loose horse,” said Clements.
“He fractured a bone in the hoof, and the vet didn’t give a very good prognosis, but he has come back good.
“He was away for over a year. He had two good prep runs (both thirds in Class 3 races), and it was his race to win today.”
Clements admitted the race didn’t pan out as expected, but even if it didn’t look pretty, a win is a win.
Ridden by Louis-Philippe Beuzelin, Spirit Of Big Bang rolled forward to land in the leading position but was unable to clear Sky Rocket (Darca Brahma) on the fence.
A winner from off the speed at his previous three Kranji wins, Spirit Of Big Bang was treading into unfamiliar territory by spearheading the charge from the front for the entire journey, but managed to defeat Augustus (Snitzel) into second, with So Hi Class (Dark Angel).
“We thought the only pacemaker would be Asaad, and Spirit Of Big Bang would then sit off him, but when he missed the start, he found himself landing in front,” said Clements.
“He held on well. He fought on well to win a nice race.”